Héma-Québec Urges Public to Donate Blood for Common Good
Héma-Québec, a vital organization in Quebec, is reaching out to the community for blood donations to maintain a healthy blood bank. While assuring the public of the overall health of the bank, the organization has identified a decline in blood types B negative and O negative. Individuals with these blood types are specifically encouraged to step up and donate.
Josée Larivée, a spokesperson for Héma-Québec, emphasized in an interview with The Canadian Press that the current situation is not a cause for alarm. She highlighted the critical role of blood donations, particularly mentioning that type O negative is considered the “universal donor” crucial in emergency situations.
Larivée explained that the recent decrease could be attributed to regular donors taking winter vacations, impacting donation levels. Despite this, she emphasized that Quebec’s blood bank remains strong compared to other countries, showcasing the community’s collective altruism.
Héma-Québec aims to engage young adults over 18 and individuals who have not donated blood before. Interested donors can easily schedule appointments through the organization’s website at a nearby collection site. With numerous donation centers across Quebec and frequent mobile collections, Héma-Québec is expanding its reach by opening a new donation center in Lévis in March.
To donate blood, individuals only need to be over 18 and in good health, although certain criteria must be met as detailed on the Héma-Québec website.
