Timing is everything for long-weekend blood needs

And for O-negative donors, it often comes down to seconds

While an hour of your time may not seem long, for patients waiting for blood, your one hour donating blood is time well-spent. However, with many donors away or busy over long weekends, the number of donations usually declines despite the demand for blood remaining constant.  As the Victoria Day long weekend approaches, Canadian Blood Services is asking you, the City of Pickering staff, families and friends to make donating blood part of your plans now and help fill the potential long-weekend gap.

While there is a continuous need for all blood types, there is always a greater need for the “universal donor”—blood donors with O-negative blood. It is the only blood type that is compatible with all others.  When someone’s life is on the line and seconds matter, there’s no time to check blood type, so hospital patients receive O-negative blood. It is the blood type used in the most critical situations: for neonates, patients with compromised immune systems, and for trauma victims.

The following local clinics will be open prior to the long weekend to receive your much-needed donation:
Thursday, May 16, Pickering Recreation Complex 
1867 Valley Farm Rd, Pickering (back entrance)
2:00-7:00

Friday, May 17, Pickering Recreation Complex 
1867 Valley Farm Rd, Pickering (back entrance)
2:00-7:00

Bring a friend or family member to donate with you and remember to make another appointment to donate blood by booking on-line at www.blood.ca or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283).  Please pass this along to your family/friends/contacts.  One click can save many lives!