Canadian Blood Services needs 23,000 blood donors by end of July:

“We are a little worried.”

That’s how Jen Bruno, territory manager of the Canadian Blood Services, describes Canada’s available blood supply to the Sam Laprade Show on Thursday.

“The demand for blood products has increased above pre-COVID levels, and most regions across Canada will soon be able to phase into the reopening plan,” Bruno explained. “So, that’s allowing hospitals to ramp up surgical procedures that were put on hold before.”

In fact, the Canadian Blood Services needs 23,000 blood donors across the country by July 31.

Even if people have received their first or second COVID-19 vaccine, Bruno says they are still able to give blood.

“The only thing we ask is not to do it on the same day [as your vaccine]. Some people need time to recover from their vaccines and we don’t want to cause any stress to the body.”

After you’ve given blood, Bruno says what’s been taken is transported to a lab where blood type will be confirmed. After that, the lab will send hospitals the type of blood they requested.

But that problem is, blood only has a shelf life of 42 days.

“That’s why we’re encouraging people to keep donating. Women can donate every three months and men every two months.”

And summer is often a challenging time for blood supply, Bruno says, as there tends to be an increase in accidents and injuries when people are injured.

Donors can start giving blood at 17-years-old. 

“We always encourage high school students, sports teams, family and friends or donate as a group— we are still following physical distancing protocols. Those have not changed and it can be done.”