Blood donors needed with Canadian reserves running low

Blood reserve levels are at a critical point across the country, and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is asking people to come out and donate.

Currently, CBS reserves are sitting around 12,000 units of blood — significantly below where reserves are usually kept around 20,000 to 25,000 units.

This week has been declared national blood donor week, with World Blood Donor Day on Wednesday.

Katherine Wasylynka, territory manager for southern Saskatchewan with CBS, said while the need for blood is always there, summer tends to be busier.

“We do see a few more accidents throughout the summer and one of the reasons that we usually do see a dip in the summer, or more demand in the summer, it is because it’s not top of mind and people aren’t thinking about it.”

Carrie Derin is one of the many people whose life was saved by a blood donation.

She was riding an ATV with her family about five years ago in Moose Mountain Park. Derin said she wasn’t paying attention to what was in front of her and a branch impaled her through her stomach to the back of her seat. She had to be airlifted to hospital.

While being airlifted, her blood pressure was so low the emergency crews couldn’t find a pulse so they stopped in Arcola to perform a blood transfusion.

“If it wouldn’t have been for those units available in rural Saskatchewan … I don’t know if I would be here, or not in the same capacity,” Derin said.

She said it’s important to have blood ready for people because no one knows when tragedy will strike.

Wasylynka said O-type blood is most in need because it can be donated to any blood group.

She urged anyone who is interested in donating blood to check CBS’s website to find out if they are eligible and able to give.