Blood donation event coming to Lucknow

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A blood donation event is being held at the Lucknow Community Centre on Friday, February 18.

Canadian Blood Services hosts blood donor clinics in the community of Lucknow three times this year.

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“Every minute of every day, a patient in Canada needs blood,” explained Marisa Gatfield. “Donated blood lasts no longer than 42 days. That is why the need for blood is constant and often times it can take more than one donor to help save a life. As an example it can take up to eight donors a week to help someone with leukemia, up to 50 donors to help an accident victim.”

“Approximately, one in two Canadians will either need blood or know someone who will at some point,” she continued. “Yet, less than four percent of eligible donors sustain the blood system for all Canadians.”

There are three ways that donors or potential donors can book an appointment:

Visit: blood.ca;

Dowload: GiveBlood app; or

Call: 1 888 2 DONATE or 1 888 236 6283.

If you are considering donating blood for the first time you must be:

• In good general health
• Able to perform your normal day-to-day activities
• At least 17 years old
• Meet our height and weight requirements if you are between 17 and 23 years old.

Visit their website at blood.ca for the ABC’s of Eligibility or Call 1 888 2 DONATE ( 1 888 238 6283) to discuss your eligibility.

COVID 19 protocols are in place at all donor centres and mobile events. When a donor, employee or volunteer walks through the doors they can take comfort in knowing that they are taking proactive steps to limit the risk of infection. In addition to their robust cleaning and screening practices, they have implemented a welcome wellness screening checkpoint, mandatory mask policy, physical distancing measures and enhanced and frequent cleaning practices which closely align with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s  (PHAC) recommendations.

“Our team is consistently monitoring and assessing whether additional measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of donors, employees and volunteers,” said Gatfield. “An overview of our COVID 19 protocols can be found on our website at blood.ca”

The event will run from 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Lucknow Community Centre located on Willoughby Street, Lucknow.  Canadian Blood Services encourages all those who can and are able, to book an appointment.  At present, they are accepting donors with scheduled appointments in order to maintain physical distancing within our centres.  Don’t forget to bring a piece of government issued identification or your Canadian Blood Services donor card.

Tips to remember:

Drink plenty of fluids – be well hydrated

Have had something to eat (preferably salty)

Have a good night rest

All donors are encouraged to get involved, but there is a specific need for donors with type O – negative blood. When seconds count, someone’s life is on the line, and there’s no time to check blood type, hospital patients in an emergency can all receive O – negative blood. Donating blood is one of the most direct ways that someone can help someone in need.

“Blood donors help support the health of our communities,” Gatfield concluded. “More donors are needed on a regular basis to maintain a strong national inventory of blood and blood products to meet patients’ needs.”