Hospital patients who need blood can’t take the holidays off and Canadian Blood Services is hoping donors can help keep the supply up over the holidays.
O-negative blood levels are low.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Canada, someone needs blood to survive. As a universal donor, you can make a lifesaving difference.
Book now to donate: https://t.co/TcN318nI5r#CanadasLifeline #JoinTheLifeline #BloodForLife pic.twitter.com/3YeVhNbMeZ
— Canadian Blood Services (@CanadasLifeline) November 30, 2018
Peter MacDonald of Canadian Blood Service says the week between Christmas and New Year’s is one of the most challenging weeks for them with regular donors away or busy with friends and family.
He says people may not realize their inventory is perishable.
“From every unit we collect, we draw three components, plasma, red cells and platelets. Plasma we can freeze, red cells last for 42 days and platelets are a key component in cancer treatment.” MacDonald says.
A leukemia patient could use the blood of up to eight donors per week.
