There is an immediate need for blood donations in Guelph and across the country.
Rachael Henderson, community development manager for Canadian Blood Services, said it is important that people “get out there and donate.”
“One thing that’s kind of shocking is that the national blood inventory has declined by 35 per cent since the start of October,” she said, “so our regular donor base is the smallest it’s been in a decade.”
Henderson wants to encourage people to see if they are eligible to donate and book their appointments.
“There are 620 appointments that need to be filled before Jan. 31,” she said.
Donors can visit blood.ca to book their appointments, learn more about eligibility, the need for blood and even read personal stories.
“On our website there is a whole section on the ABCs of eligibility. There is actually a quiz that people can do,” Henderson said.
She said donors do have to be at least 17 years old and must have waited three months since having a tattoo or piercing. Travel is also something donors need to consider and Henderson said they may have to wait if they have recently travelled to certain countries.
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