Canadian Blood Services ready to collect donations at new location starting Monday

Canadian Blood Services is getting ready to open a new donation centre in Edmonton.

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) says it is ready to host donors at its new Edmonton location starting Monday.

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Except for some equipment that needs to be moved after Friday’s donations, the new centre at 4211 106 St. NW is complete.

“First thing I really noticed here is, wow, there’s a lot of natural light,” donor Aaron Gautreau told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday during a tour of the new facility. “Not that the last place felt more closed in, but it’s a lot more open and inviting.”

Gautreau, inspired by the medical care he received after a skydiving incident in 2003, has donated blood or plasma 189 times. Only about two years ago did he switch from donating at mobile clinics to the agency’s clinic on the University of Alberta campus.

“I like the parking situation better,” he said of the new location in Whitemud Crossing. “There’s a nice little burger joint in the corner I’m going to be able to check out. So all in all, seems like a big step up to me.”

CBS believes other donors will agree the new location is more convenient because of its access to commuter routes like Whitemud Drive and Gateway Boulevard, and says the site was chosen based on feedback provided by surveyed donors.

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“The parking is great, but also just the space itself; it’s beautiful high ceilings, open windows, (donors will) be able to see everything around them,” spokesperson Jasmine Vallarta said.

“We already have appointments for that morning. It’s looking good, but we still encourage people to come out and make an appointment.”

Edmonton is one of CBS’ largest collection sites, counting 40,000 whole blood units, 1,800 platelets units, and 9,000 plasma units annually.

CBS encourages donors to make appointments online.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s David Mitchell