Canadian Blood Services is asking the Estevan and Weyburn communities to rally together and help save lives next week.
Consistent hospital demand, and lower than expected summer collections is drawing down on blood inventory levels. Canadian Blood Services is facing lower than anticipated appointment bookings for the rest of the summer.
"Summer is a particularly challenging time of year to collect blood, since donors change their routines, take vacations, travel and are distracted with outdoor activities - donating blood is not always top of mind," says Lesley Dietz, Community Development Coordinator with Canadian Blood Services. "Meanwhile, the need for blood does not take a summer vacation."
Earlier this spring, flooding caused the cancellation of scheduled blood donor clinics in both Estevan and Weyburn, resulting in a loss of an anticipated 288 blood donations. Now, local residents have a chance to help recover those units and do their part in coming to the aid of hospital patients in need.
The Estevan Clinic will take place on Monday, August 29 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Souris Valley Leisure Centre - Multipurpose Room.
The Weyburn Clinic will take place on Tuesday, August 30 from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Assiniboia Park Elementary School.
Call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) for more information or to book an appointment to donate. Appointments are recommended to help reduce clinic line-ups and waiting times. Those donors who already have scheduled appointments are strongly encouraged to honour their appointment.
