Canadian Blood Services kicks off the summer with National Blood Donor Week June 14-20 and World Blood Donor Day which falls on Monday, June 14. This year’s global theme focuses on young donors with the slogan, “New blood for the world.”
“National Blood Donor Week is our opportunity to show appreciation for the generous Canadians who donate blood, plasma, platelets and stem cells, and to let them know how much their donation matters,” says Ian Mumford, Chief Operating Officer of Canadian Blood Services. “By focusing on youth we are hoping to set the path for a new generation of blood donors.”
As the demand for blood increases year over year, Canadian Blood Services needs to recruit a new generation of blood donors to meet growing hospital demand and help patients in need across the country. Canadian Blood Services is reaching out to younger donors now and trying to retain them as regular donors throughout their lifetime.
“Young people are making an important contribution to Canada’s blood system by donating blood and recruiting other young people to join them, says Mumford. “Last year, Canadians aged 17-24 accounted for about 139,000 blood donations, or 15 per cent of all blood donations in Canada. We need to recruit approximately 77,000 new donors this year to grow our donor base and to keep up with the growing demand for blood and blood products.”
Although this year’s National Blood Donor Week theme focuses on youth, Canadian Blood Services is encouraging people of all ages to become regular blood donors.
Youth Blood Donor Facts
– 5.3% of eligible 17-24 year olds donated blood last year versus approximately 3.4% of the overall eligible population in Canada
– Last year, there were 422,847 blood donors in Canada and 85,588 of those donors were aged 17 – 24
– Donors aged 17 – 24 account for 20% of the donors in Canada
– Donors aged 17 – 24 made 138,748 blood donations last year, or 15% of all blood donations in Canada
– Donors aged 17 – 24 accounted for 46% of all new blood donors in Canada last year
– On average, donors aged 17-24 donate 1.62 times per year versus 2.18 times per year for donors of all ages.
– People can begin donating blood as early as 17 years of age.
Between National Blood Donor Week and the end of August, Canadian Blood Services needs 194,342 donors to give blood in across the country in order to meet patient and hospital demand.
About National Blood Donor Week (June 14 – 20, 2010)
In 2008 a bill was passed by the federal government recognizing National Blood Donor Week as an opportunity to celebrate and thank the donors and volunteers of the blood system in Canada who ensure the health of their fellow citizens. The week also builds awareness of the importance of blood, plasma, platelet and bone and stem cell donations, and encourages Canadians to donate or become a volunteer – especially during the challenging summer months. This year, National Blood Donor Week runs from June 14 – 20.
About World Blood Donor Day (June 14, 2010)
World Blood Donor Day falls within National Blood Donor Week on June 14 – the birth date of Karl Landsteiner, a pioneer of transfusion medicine. Every year, the World Health Organization selects a country to host international celebrations. This year, Spain will host World Blood Donor Day with the theme “New blood for the world”. Celebrations will centre in Barcelona.
Source
Canadian Blood Services