Answering the call for blood donations

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/11/2020 (926 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canadian Blood Services is putting the call out for blood donors, new and old.  

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for blood donations is always there.

Donating blood products requires little effort, doesn’t cost anything and means improved life for someone else. I don’t know if I will ever be able to replace the litres received by my family during surgeries and hospital stays over the years, but I’m certainly going to try.

I highly recommend donating. During the pandemic only donors with appointments are welcome at the Winnipeg Centre offices at 777 William Ave. (part of the Health Sciences Centre campus) but the online booking process is smooth and I was in and out of my appointment in 40 minutes. During November, when you donate and share your experience on social media, you will be entered into adraw for a $50 gift card.

Two Saturdays ago, the staff and volunteers were the essence of calm. My nurse remarked that they have been seeing an increased number of young adults lately — which is a very encouraging sign. One temporary change to normal procedure is that you will have to enjoy your post-donation recovery snack outside. And of course, you will be required to wear a mask.

Common effects of donating blood can be anxiety or light-headedness for some, and I credit the CBS for suggesting a helpful solution to improve the experience. Apparently, repeated tensing of the muscles in the legs, abdomen and gluteus maximus, can diminish these negative effects. It’s certainly distracting, and it’s hard not to laugh when you’re clenching your cheeks while trying not to watch your blood pump into the collection bag.

To sum things up, this is a win-win-win scenario. You feel good for saving a life. You might win a prize. And you get to work on tightening those buns. I don’t see a downside anywhere.

Finally, we are privileged to live in a country where we have democracy and free speech for all, and I am privileged to have a voice in our community. We may not always agree with our neighbours, but we should always respect them. Especially these days, when we need to lift each other up more than ever.

Take care, stay safe and be kind.

Wanda Prychitko is a community correspondent for St. James-Assiniboia. Contact wprychitko@yahoo.ca