Canadian Blood Services critically low in blood, platelet donations

Blood services staff members in Sudbury are hoping people will take time out during their long weekend to donate.

Officials say reserves are at a five-year low and, currently in the city, hundreds of appointments still need to be filled.

The local clinic is reflecting similarly low donation numbers across the country.

The resource manager for Canadian Blood Services in northeastern Ontario said people are taking extended long weekends because Canada Day falls on a Tuesday this year.

And that means blood donation isn't on their minds.

Demand is constant for blood, Annie Barrette said.

You think of patients in hospitals. They dont go on vacation. Car accidents continue to happen. People still need to have that blood.

The Sudbury clinic usually collects an average of 42 units of blood a day. But last week, they collected as few as 20.

Barrette noted a car accident victim can use up to 50 units of blood.

Canadian Blood Services would like to see more people like Kyle Chester, who recently donated blood at the Sudbury clinic before he went back to Elk Lake.

I just happen to be here for the weekend, he said.

I'm on my way home and I thought I [would] stop in before going home.

Barrette said its critical to replenish supplies of donated blood, as regular red blood cells can last 42 days before expiring.

Platelets, which are primarily used by cancer patients, are only good for five, she noted.

Barrette added the demand for blood always increases on long weekends, because of an increase in accidents.