Sask. blood donors needed during Christmas season

While you wouldn’t put this gift under the tree, giving blood could help give someone their holidays back.

Canadian Blood Services is facing a shortage of donors across the country, including in Saskatchewan.

There is a need for 592 donors in Regina and 1,000 in Saskatoon between Dec. 20 and Jan. 6.

Katherine Wasylynka, the territory manager for Canadian Blood Services, said it’s normal for there to be fewer blood donations at this time of the year.

“People get busy with family and vacation things and we have a lot of missed appointments as well.”

She said people in Regina are often very giving around the holidays, but it has been an issue this year with the numbers being down.

“We are seeing a little bit less people step up to the plate and roll up their sleeves this year.”

Wasylynka said it only takes an hour of someone’s time to help this holiday season.

People can find their holiday hours on the Canadian Blood Services website.