Canadian Blood Services warn of low inventory levels for Calgary

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is sounding the alarm as it says its blood donation levels are “quite concerning” as they drop to low levels in the Calgary area.

Jhoanna Del Rosario, the territory manager for Calgary with Canadian Blood Services, says there are over 500 open appointments at the Eau Claire Blood Donor Centre, one of the largest donor centres in Canada.

“It’s quite concerning because that’s the highest unfilled appointments that we’ve had in the past weeks,” she explains.

Del Rosario said the number of open appointments is the lowest it has seen since before and during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, she says the summer is a busy time as many Canadians are going for vacations, which leaves blood services for patients to dry up.

“Our patients in the hospital do not take a vacation,” Del Rosario said.

“We’re seeing really a drop of appointments at our donor centers, so we’re looking for more people to step up and join Canada’s lifeline and to save lives.”

CBS is short on O-positive, O-negative, A-positive, A-negative, and B-negative blood types.

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While some Calgarians may not have considered donating blood before, Del Rosario says the biggest benefit to donating is “saving a life.”

“You’re making an impact on the lives of others. You know, you’re helping a patient in the hospital with leukemia cancer patients, those … undergoing surgical procedures,” she said.

“That’s the most important way of giving back to the community and giving back … saving lives, saving patients.”

CBS says Winnipeg and Edmonton are also seeing low blood inventory levels, with the former needing to fill 475 appointments to meet inventory levels for July, while the latter needs more than double that for the area.

It states that those who rely on blood, platelet, and plasma donations include cancer patients, accident victims, and those with immunodeficiency, autoimmune and neurological disorders.

More information on donating blood can be found online or by calling 1-888-236-6283.

-With files from Logan Stein