Severe Weather Impacts Blood Donations in Canada
Extreme weather conditions and seasonal illnesses have caused disruptions in blood donations to Canadian Blood Services (CBS) nationwide.
The non-profit organization is facing a shortage in the number of donations crucial for blood and plasma supply.
CBS reports a shortfall of 15,000 donations over the past six days, attributing the decrease to severe winter weather leading to numerous cancellations by donors, with 16 donation events affected in January alone.
Eric Belden, Community Development Manager, acknowledges the challenges faced by CBS during the winter season, citing illness and hazardous road conditions as obstacles preventing donors from reaching donation centers.
Despite adverse weather conditions, British Columbians have shown solidarity by increasing their donation efforts to compensate for compromised donations in other regions of the country.
While CBS appreciates the support from donors post-holiday season, Belden notes that there are still available donation slots at most centers in the area.
Although approximately 2 million people in B.C. are eligible to donate, only 65,000 active donors are currently assisting in meeting the donation requirements.
Donor Ambar Carvallo Lopez emphasizes the significance of her contributions, highlighting the importance of maintaining a steady blood supply for emergencies and general societal needs.
It’s emphasized that donations made in British Columbia can have a far-reaching impact beyond local communities, potentially aiding patients across the country in times of need.
Canadian Blood Services underlines the critical nature of maintaining a consistent blood supply to ensure hospitals have an adequate stock for unforeseen circumstances.