Need for blood rising as long weekend approaches

Donors encouraged to book and keep appointments to boost blood supply 

As COVID-19 restrictions ease across the country and hospitals resume procedures that were put on hold, eligible donors are encouraged to book and keep their appointments between now and July 4.  

The national blood inventory continues to meet patients’ needs but is declining because of increased demand and missed or unfilled blood donation appointments.  

While all blood types help patients, there is a specific need for donors with O-negative blood type. Donors with O-negative blood are part of a select group whose donations are compatible with everyone. As the universal blood type, patients in an emergency can all receive O-negative blood.   

As Canadians look forward to gathering with family and friends and planning long-awaited opportunities to travel, countless patients will rely on blood products to survive. 

The following events will be held over the long weekend: 

July 1st – Baitun Nur Mosque, 4353 54th Avenue NE, – Calgary 3 – 8 p.m. 

July 2nd – Marlborough Park Community Centre – 6021 Madigan Drive NE, – 3 – 8 p.m. 

July 3rd – Genesis Centre – 7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE –   9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

In compliance with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s direction to enable physical distancing, at this time, we can only welcome people with appointments.  

If you’re in general good health, please book and honour your appointment to help patients. Download the GiveBlood app available on the AppStore or GooglePlay, call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca.  

About Canadian Blood Services 

Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization. Regulated by Health Canada as a biologics manufacturer and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health, Canadian Blood Services operates with a national scope, infrastructure and governance that make it unique within Canadian healthcare. In the domain of blood, plasma and stem cells, we provide services for patients on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments except Quebec. The national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing and related programs reaches into all provinces and territories, as a biological lifeline for Canadians.