As Canadians prepare to celebrate this holiday season, many hospital patients will be fighting to celebrate life itself. Canadian Blood Services is asking eligible Canadians to give the gift that thousands of hospital patients will need this holiday season by donating blood.
Collecting blood during the holiday season is a challenge as many donors go away or are busy with family activities. Between December 13 and January 2, Canadian Blood Services will need to collect close to 50,000 units of blood to meet the needs of hospitals all across Canada. However, Canadian Blood Services needs 22,000 more donors to book appointments and is asking eligible Canadians to donate blood to meet the needs of hospital patients during these challenging weeks.
“We simply need more Canadians to book appointments this holiday season to donate blood, particularly the weeks before and the week after Christmas,” says Mark Donnison, Senior Executive Director, Transfusable Products, Canadian Blood Services. “We need to be proactive now to ensure hospital patients receive life-saving blood and blood products during these challenging weeks.”
As retailers scramble to re-stock their shelves with that hot holiday gift, Canadian Blood Services is asking eligible Canadians to take one hour out of their busy holiday schedule to ensure our shelves are full of the gift that will make a difference to a hospital patient this holiday season.
“You may have always thought about giving blood this year. It may even be a promise you made to yourself long ago,” says Donnison. “Well, now is the time to hold true to that promise. As the year draws to an end, do something that embodies the spirit and generosity of the season. During this season of giving when everyone is looking for discounts and bargains give the gift that’s a 3 for 1 deal. Donate blood. It’s the gift that will save up to three lives.”
With 52 percent of Canadians saying they or a family member have needed blood for surgery or medical treatment, your single donation will be greatly appreciated by hospital patients and their families this holiday season.
There are plenty of opportunities to donate blood this holiday season. Please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment to donate today. Just one hour, one donation, three lifesaving gifts of blood. You can help a cancer patient receive treatment, an accident victim to survive, or a new mother hold her baby after emergency surgery. To help meet the continuing need for blood, donors who have an appointment in the coming weeks are urged to honour it.
Source:
Canadian Blood Services