The popularity of the hunt has an impact on the activities of Héma-Québec, which is struggling to find donors for its blood drive to be held on October 4 and 5 in Sept-Îles, on the North Shore.
Spaces available for blood drives usually fill up in the days leading up to the event, which takes place twice a year at Naval Reserve HMCS Jolliet.
But this year, the organization feels that the popularity of the fundraiser is on the decline. And hunting seems to be an important factor to explain the announced absence of some donors, noted Héma-Québec employees who have been calling donors for a few days to set up appointments.
Of a total of 450 places available for a blood donation, 120 are still free despite a call for donors launched Friday in the local media.
“There are some donors, when we called them to make an appointment, who told us that they had the idea to hunt instead,” said Vanessa Jourdain, public relations officer for Héma-Québec. “We are always at the mercy of various events, whether it be the summer vacation or the holiday season.”
Under the circumstances and in order not to lose collection capacity in Sept-Îles, Héma-Québec encourages citizens who want to donate blood to make an appointment on its website or at 1 800 343-7264.
To meet the needs, Héma-Québec must draw blood from 1,000 donors per day.
Remember that the vaccination passport is not required to donate blood.
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