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Blood donors encouraged to give this summer

Jul 8, 2018 | 8:00 AM

Organizers of an upcoming blood drive were happy to report that all appointments have been filled for their clinic Monday, despite the warm summer months when donations are usually down.

Canadian Blood Services is hosting a blood drive Monday afternoon at the Prince Albert Exhibition Centre. Spokesperson Deb Steele-Kretschmer said all 96 spots for the Prince Albert event have now been booked.

“Summer is traditionally a really difficult time for us to collect blood, because people are away or busy with other activities,” she told paNOW. “Cancer patients, accident victims, and other people with blood disorders rely on blood transfusions every day, so the need for blood is constant.”

Steele-Kretschmer said it’s important for those with appointments for Monday’s blood donor clinic to keep them.

“We encourage donors who have booked their appointment, be sure to honour them, or reach out to us and cancel so that others can take their place,” she added.

Donors can book an appointment by phone, online, or through the Canadian Blood Services mobile app, Steele-Kretschmer said, and donors can still contribute even if they are travelling over the summer.

“I would encourage people to think about including blood donation as part of your holiday travel,” she said.

Blood clinics are held monthly in Prince Albert. The Prince Albert Lions Club has been supporting the initiative for several years, with volunteers helping serve beverages and snacks at each clinic.

Suzanne Bantle, with the Lions Club, said their club recognizes the importance of giving blood.

“Our motto is ‘we serve,’ so we try to serve as much as possible,” Bantle said.

 

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt