Tanara Oliveira/News Staff
This holiday season, more than 31,000 blood and plasma donors are urgently needed across Canada before Jan. 7 to ensure that patients in hospitals have access to the life-saving essentials they depend on.
And Vancouver Island residents are being asked to give.
鈥淥ver the next few weeks, every available appointment needs to be filled so that hospitals can receive the blood and blood products they need,鈥� said Ron Vezina, vice-president of public affairs for Canadian Blood Services. 鈥淎mid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, people have the chance to do something meaningful by donating blood or plasma. It鈥檚 something that can change lives.鈥�
The last two weeks of December and the first week of January pose particular challenges for Canadian Blood Services. With disrupted regular schedules and holiday plans keeping people busy, some may not realize that donor centers remain open and donors are needed, even when other services and activities are paused. Blood products are perishable and must be consistently collected to ensure a fresh supply.
Of particular importance are platelets, which have a shelf life of just seven days and are a crucial component of blood, frequently used in cancer patient treatment. To ensure a steady supply throughout the year and into the new year, every donation appointment needs to be filled while donor centres are open.
鈥淢any of our centers are open on Dec. 24 and 31, as well as on Jan. 1, so that we can collect what is needed,鈥� said Vezina. 鈥淲e are asking you to make time to help patients and their families this holiday season.鈥�
Booking a donation appointment has never been easier, with self-serve options available on blood.ca and the GiveBlood app. Donors can conveniently select the time and location that suits them, making it a simple addition to their holiday plans, even for those traveling within Canada.
Alicia Perera-Thomas and her husband Marvin faced a challenging situation one year ago during the holiday season as they prepared to welcome their third child, Rashaun. Alicia had developed antibodies early in her pregnancy, necessitating close monitoring. By the seventh month, she was being monitored multiple times each week. On Dec. 22, 2022, Alicia learned that she needed to deliver her baby ahead of term because the antibodies were affecting his red blood cells and limiting oxygen flow to his brain.
Rashaun required blood transfusions to increase his oxygen red blood cell count, which donors had made available when he needed it.
Today, Alicia and Marvin celebrate joy and gratitude and have committed to giving back by encouraging others to donate blood or blood products during the holiday season. They have rallied friends and family to join them in donating blood, with 27 people signed up to donate on Dec. 23.
Canadian Blood Services recently updated eligibility criteria, allowing those who lived or spent time in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, or France during the 1980s and 1990s to donate blood, plasma, and platelets. This change is part of Canadian Blood Services鈥� ongoing effort to provide more opportunities for individuals to contribute.
If you live in Victoria and want to donate, there are about 930 open appointments at the Victoria Donor Centre from now until Jan. 7. The address is 3449 Saanich Rd.
To book a blood or plasma donation appointment, visit blood.ca, download the GiveBlood app, or call 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Same-day appointments are often available.
Those from outside the Victoria error can for upcoming clinics scheduled near you.
