Canadian Blood Services is appealing for donors to restock the blood reserve and grow the plasma supply ahead of the long weekend.
"Donors are needed now to grow the plasma supply and restock the reserve of blood. Cancer patients, accident victims, and people with immunodeficiency, auto-immune and neurological disorders rely on blood, platelets, and plasma donations every day," the agency said.
One of those patients is Olivia Blundon from Beaverton. The 10-year-old was diagnosed aplastic anemia and needed more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions. She also required a stem cell transplant, was diagnosed with thrombotic microangiopathy, and will one day need a kidney transplant.
"Olivia’s condition is closely monitored and the possibility of future transfusions remains high. Her family is counting on donors to maintain the blood supply so that she can get the blood she needs when she needs it," Canadian Blood Services said.
There is need for all all blood donors but especially those with O-negative type as this type can be transfused to any patient and is used for emergencies.
You can make an appointment to donate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at the Canadian Blood Services centre in Richmond Hill.
The next community clinic events scheduled in Newmarket are June 5 at the Newmarket Legion and June 9 at the Newmarket Community Centre. You can also book appointments for those clinics online.
