In 10 years, the pool of blood donors in Canada has never been so small, according to the organization.
To replenish the national blood supply, which is also at an all-time low, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is appealing to the public.
It must recruit 100,000 new donors by the end of the year to be able to continue to meet the needs of hospitals.
» We are asking people to educate themselves, to find out if they can donate blood and, if so, to please do so. »
Gayle Voyer says it is important to check that people check if they are fit to donate blood, as periods fluctuate regularly.
In the spring, for example, Health Canada announced that gay men, previously barred from donating blood if they had had sex with other men in the previous three months, would soon be able to donate blood.
Since February, people who have lived in Saudi Arabia and Western Europe (excluding the UK, Republic of Ireland and France) can also donate.
Despite the needs, certain limitations remain
According to the rules in force of the SSC, people who have lived in France or Ireland for five years or more between January 1980 and December 31, 2001 still cannot make a donation.
Same for those who spent three months or more in the UK between January 1980 and December 31, 1996.
Gayle Voyer defends the decision of Canadian Blood Services, which is working with Health Canada to revise the rules surrounding blood donations. For the moment, the relaxation of these criteria is not on the program, despite crying and repeated needs.
Under Canada’s Blood Regulations, blood suppliers – Héma-Québec and Canadian Blood Services – must submit a request to Health Canada for any changes to their processes.
In Quebec, people who have spent three cumulative months or more in France between January 1, 1980 and December 31, 1996 cannot donate blood according to Héma-Québec’s criteria.
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National reserves too low
Currently, the blood supply for the most common blood type in the country, O+, is only 5 days. O+ red blood cells can be transfused to anyone with a positive Rh factor.
In the second most common group, group A+, the reserve is only 6 days.
The pandemic, but also the resumption of activities in the lives of Canadians in recent months and the summer holidays mean that there are fewer people giving blood, and that is a real problem.
said Gayle Voyer.
In addition to the efforts deployed in the provinces and territories, Canadian Blood Services recalls that it has 35 permanent collection centers and more than 4,000 mobile collection centers across Canada.
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