Canadian Blood Services calling for first time donors
Canadian Blood Services says they are seeing a shortage of supply of blood donations and donors, and are hoping more first-time donors will sign up to help fill the gap.
Debbi Barfoot says the pandemic has proved challenging for collecting donations.
"Though the pandemic, our donor base has actually shrunk, so less people are coming in," she says. "And then recently with Omicron it’s affecting us a little bit more and it’s starting to be a bit of a concern."
Barfoot says the new variant has forced staffing shortages and cancelled appointments.
Another major hit to inventory, says Barfoot, was the snowstorm on Jan. 17 that caused appointments to be cancelled across Ontario.
She says it resulted in 1,000 units being lost.
"We’re still trying to make up for those units, based on hospital orders, and what patients need in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle," she explains. "So we’re trying to make up those units, and fill those existing appointments."
In places like Kingston, there are more than 100 appointments that need to be filled for the month of February.
She says they need the help of new donors to fill the appointments.
"One in two people in Canada are eligible to donate, however, one in 81 actually does," says Barfoot. "Those donors, those dedicated donors that come in every 56 days if you're male or every 84 days if you're a female, they're making up for everybody. So we really need to encourage new blood donors into the system."
For ways to donate, and to find out whether you are eligible, visit the Canadian Blood Services website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
Ontario urges mpox testing amid spike in cases
Ontario health officials are urging public health units to test for mpox, the viral disease formerly known as monkeypox, amid a spike of confirmed cases in the province.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
'Don't expect any deals:' Expert says stores may not offer steep discounts on post-Easter chocolate
Those looking to snap up cheap treats at their local grocery store next week following the Easter long weekend could be in for a bit of a surprise as the rising cost of cocoa continues to drive up the price of chocolate, one expert says.