Extreme weather and seasonal viruses have disrupted donations to Canadian Blood Services (CBS) across the country.
The non-profit authority says it’s behind on the number of donations it relies on for blood and plasma.
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CBS says it has collected 15,000 fewer donations over the past six days as severe winter conditions have forced numerous donor cancellations in some parts of Canada, including 16 donation events in January.
Community Development Manager Eric Belden says there’s only so much CBS can do.
“During the winter, it’s the time for illnesses or snowy roads- people can’t make it to the donor centre even if it’s open,” Belden explained.
Despite heavy rain, fog, and cloudy days, CBS says British Columbians have been stepping up on behalf of other parts of the country whose commutes have been more compromised.
“We are seeing people come out of the holiday season and coming out to donate, but there are still appointments available at most donor centres in the area,” said Belden.
Around 2 million people in B.C. could be eligible to donate, but CBS says only 65,000 active donors are helping to fill the gaps where they can.
Donor Ambar Carvallo Lopez says her visits are important to her and to Canada.
“It’s about contributing and ways that I can contribute to society in general — I know that sometimes there are emergencies, and having a steady blood supply is important. Not just when there’s a specific reason for it,” said Carvallo Lopez.
Donations made in B.C. can make a difference far beyond regional distribution.
“Any donation you make, it will go to your local community first — so the hospitals that need it. But we can also send it across the country if there’s a deficit in a different community and that hospital needs blood, then we can support them. And that means that your donation in Vancouver could help a patient across the country if needed.”
Canadian Blood Services says that while hospitals have the blood they need today, the situation could change if the authority is not able to collect a consistent supply.
