Canadian Blood Services seeks donors in Calgary, Edmonton

Canadian Blood Services is asking people in Calgary and Edmonton who don't have plans for the holiday Mondayto consider donating blood.

The blood clinics in each city have numerous appointments available.

Susan Matsumoto of donor relations notes the need for blood doesn't change, and saidthere are some products that are in constant demand by hospitals.

"Platelets is one. It's a component that helps make blood clot. That has only a five-day shelf lifeand as a result of thatwe have to collect on a regular basis, pretty much every day," she said.

Thousands needed

Matsumoto saidturnover in the donor base can be as high as 40 per cent, so the organization isseeking more than 18,000new blood donors in the province.

"The donor base is generally aging, so people for various reasons become ineligible to donate blood," she said."They could be on medications now that don't allow them to donate."

Clinics are open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and walk-ins are welcome.

Matsumotosaidin most cases, it only takes about an hour to donate.

• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Calgary woman challenges affordable housing stigma after Rosedale opposition
• MORE CALGARY NEWS |Plenty of trail closures in the mountains this long weekend