There have been several winter weather warnings, advisories and statements this year, causing people to stay home if they don’t have to be out on the roads.
Canadian Blood Services says this severe winter weather has wiped out the opportunity to collect hundreds of blood, plasma, and platelet donations.
Community Development Manager Laura Jewell says they are urging donors who can safely get to a donor centre or mobile donation event, to book an appointment as soon as possible to help maintain the blood and platelet inventory and grow the plasma supply for patients.
Jewell adds platelets are of particular concern because they have a shelf life of only seven days so it’s not possible to stock up. To ensure platelets are available, regular blood donations are critical.
She says there are 800 open appointments at the blood donor clinic in Oshawa.
You need to make an appointment to donation and you can do that by clicking here.
