No holiday break in need for blood donors

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This article was published 25/12/2023 (705 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday over Christmas, even though blood clinics for both people and furry friends log less donors coming in.

Contending with family gatherings and holiday concerts for children or getting sick with a cold or the flu make it more difficult for donors to find the time to come in.

For the Canadian Animal Blood Bank, it’s even more challenging because it doesn’t hold clinics toward the end of the year.

“We were looking really good in the middle of November… and then we were unable to do collections,” said lab director Beth Knight. “The multitude of what can go wrong does and it usually shows up at this time of year.”

“We were looking really good in the middle of November… and then we were unable to do collections.”–Beth Knight

Many owners are unsure if their dogs will make good donors, but Knight said those that are fit often love coming to their appointments. Those interested in getting their pooch involved can ask their veterinarian for more information.

“The dogs know they are doing something wonderful,” Knight said.

The blood bank that started in 1996 in partnership with Red River College Polytechnic takes donations from healthy dogs that weigh 25 kilograms or more. Donors must also be up to date with vaccinations and between one and eight years old.

Knight said the service is looking for specific breeds including Dobermans, German shepherds and Old English sheepdogs that more commonly have the DEA 1 negative blood type.

The CABB doesn’t operate clinics again until Jan. 2 in Neepawa and Jan. 9 in Winnipeg.

“It’s always a challenge this time of year,” Knight said.

Meantime, it’s also difficult to find human blood donors around Christmas, said Brett Lawrence.

“It’s always a challenge this time of year,”–Beth Knight

The community development manager for the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Blood Services also acknowledged donors are finding time to celebrate, but the need for blood is as critical as ever.

There were more than 80 spots waiting to be filled Dec. 24, 90 spaces open Dec. 26 and more than 150 available bookings Dec. 31.

“It is a common thing because people are on holiday… but the need doesn’t stop,” Lawrence said. “It’s been really hard to get people in those days because they’re spending time with their family.”

All blood types are in high demand, but Lawrence said the service is always looking for type O negative and positive (universal donors).

This year has been especially tough, with CBS noting low donor numbers over the summer as well.

“We’re still kind of moving in this new environment post-COVID,” Lawrence said. “We’re hopefully seeing an upward trend.”

Donations only take an hour total, but the needle is only in for 10 to 15 minutes while a pint of blood is drawn.

Roughly 50 per cent of Canadians are eligible to donate blood if they’re over age 17 and in good health.

Donated blood does not last forever, Lawrence said. It’s vital for the treatment of cancer patients and in other medical emergencies.

“There really is no substitute,” Lawrence said.

Interested donors can book appointments and view eligibility criteria by calling 1-888-236-6283 or visiting blood.ca.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca