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Surrey, give blood to show your Valentine’s Day ‘love’

Canadian Blood Services appeals for donations during February
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Blood donation image on Canadian Blood Services' website.

SURREY — Canadian Blood Services is encouraging Surrey residents to incorporate giving blood into their Valentine’s Day and Family Day celebrations.

“February is the month of love,” said David Patterson, the agency’s regional director of donor relations. “Love is universal, and one great way to express it is by donating blood. We hope Surrey residents take that message to heart.”

Blood products are needed by hundreds of Canadian hospitals for patient care, which include patients waiting for a stem-cell transplant. Currently, more than 800 patients in Canada are waiting for an unrelated stem cell donor to help save their lives.

North Delta’s Kiran Johal is among them. Kiran was diagnosed in fall 2015 with severe aplastic anemia, for which the only treatment is a stem-cell transplant. Since that time, she has received more than 30 units of blood products and is still waiting for a stem-cell match.

Patterson said those who aren’t eligible to join Canadian Blood Services’ OneMatch Stem Cell & Marrow Network can help patients like Kiran by donating blood.

“Patients waiting for a transplant often need blood and blood products before and, in some cases, even after the transplant,” he explained.

Canadian Blood Services is closing in on its goal this year of 100,000 new donors, he said, but another 28,000 are still needed before the end of March.

In Surrey, clinics include Sunday, Feb. 12, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Cloverdale Catholic Parish Centre, 17475 59th Ave.

Also, the Surrey Blood Donor Clinic, located at 15285 101st Ave. in Guildford, is open Wednesday to Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

To book an appointment, locate a clinic, check your eligibility and more, download the GiveBlood App or visit Blood.ca.