Canadian Blood Services says winter weather disrupting donor bookings

Blood donations have dropped across the country. CTV’s Karis Mapp finds out why.

Canadian Blood Services says there’s an urgent need for blood and plasma donations across the country.

“We’ve got colder days and seasonal illnesses, these all impact our ability to collect blood,” explained Katie Bea, the organization’s business development manager.

Those factors have had a huge impact on local clinics.

“In Kitchener-Waterloo alone, we have over 500 appointments open and available to book… and they’re sitting vacant,” said Bea.

The reason for lower turnout is also why there’s higher demand.

“We are seeing more people cancelling appointments or not actually showing up to appointments or booking appointments,” she continued. “Bookings are lower, but also there’s icy road conditions there are more accidents and car crashes and things that would cause hospitals to need more blood.”

All donors are welcome, but those with O-negative blood are needed most because it can be given to any patient, regardless of their own blood type.

“We’re really asking anybody who is eligible to come out and donate,” Bea said. “Help us collect as much blood as we can so that we can support the growing need.”

CTV News asked several donors why they keep coming back.

“A long time ago, when my brother was born, he needed blood transfusions,” Carolyn Wilson said. “My mom can’t donate, but my dad has always donated. I used to go with him as a high school student.”

“I have a brother-in-law that’s had a lot of blood transfusions,” explained Donna Tiffin. “I do it for people like that. And a friend who needed a blood transfusion for a leg.”

Anyone interested in helping out should check with their local centre to see what they collect.

At 94 Bridgeport Road East in Waterloo, donors can give whole blood but not plasma.

“You’re actually in the donor bed for five to 15 minutes, depending on how fast you bleed and how hydrated you are,” Bea explained. “Drink lots of water before your donation but, after that, you go to our refreshment area and have some salty snacks and some pop. The entire donation process is about an hour, door to door.”

If the centre collects plasma, it can take more time.

“You’re in the donor bed for lot longer, about 45 minutes on average.”

Bea acknowledged that a fear of needles can keep potential donors away.

“To those people I say fair, valid, I get it,” she said. “Yes, it can be scary. But when you’re thinking about the benefits of saving a life, I think that outweighs the fear.”

Bea called it a win-win situation.

“You’re helping your community, you’re giving back. You’re also going something for yourself, something that makes you feel good. Donating blood gives you the opportunity to support those around you, someone who you may never even meet. But you might save a life. And I think that’s a really cool thing to be a part of.”

To encourage bookings, Canadian Blood Services has launched its ‘Give and Get Away’ winter campaign. Anyone who schedules and shows up for a blood or plasma donation, or joins the stem cell registry before March 31, can enter to win roundtrip tickets for two with Air Canada.

Canadian Blood Services is also hosting donation clinics at universities and colleges across Canada, focused on recruiting young and healthy donors to the stem cell registry.

“[Wilfrid] Laurier University had an amazing turnout at their campus clinic on January 28,” Bea shared. “They collected 118 per cent of their target, which means that out of the 80 people that we thought would show up, 94 actually did. And it was really wonderful to see.”

With reporting by Karis Mapp