Canada’s blood supply is fueled by the smallest donor base seen in over a decade, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) Community Development Manager Mattea Duprey said.
“At this stage, we have less than two per cent of the eligible Canadian population giving blood or plasma and this just means we have a really small group of dedicated donors who are supporting the national blood system for the entire country,” Duprey said.
Duprey said that the two per cent drop is a decrease from previous years that saw just under four per cent of the eligible population donating.
CBS promoted its Shine a Light campaign calling for new donors across the country to roll up their sleeves and help Canada’s lifeline during National Blood Donor week.
The campaign was launched in May and this year, CBS’ main concern is the decrease in new donors.
CBS says that 100,000 new eligible donors across Canada are required to strengthen national blood supplies. Inventory for O-negative type blood is especially needed as current levels show that there’s only two days worth of supply nationally.
The decrease in blood and plasma donations come after lifestyle changes during the pandemic causing a loss of more than 31,000 active donors. Changes in routine for many regular donors is particularly worrying as summer approaches.
“We have this really small group of dedicated donors who are supporting the national blood system for the whole country,” Duprey said. “When these donors are going to the cottage or they’re busy with their summer plans, we really need other people.”
Throughout the week, CBS prepared several events and activities to raise awareness on the need for new blood and plasma donors.
The CN Tower and several other Canadian landmarks were lit up in red to mark World Blood Donor day, which falls on June 14, during National Blood Donor week. An interactive and informative maze at Dundas Square was also set up on June 13 and June 14 to urge donors.
CBS opened a new plasma donor centre in Vaughan and invited community members to join the open house event on June 14. A day after, Brampton’s plasma donor centre, which opened in May 2022, also hosted an open house to show gratitude to regular donors and encourage the public to make a donation.
This was the first time for the location to host an open house and to celebrate National Blood Donor week without any COVID-19 restrictions, said Simran Dulay, the business development manager at the Brampton clinic.
“We celebrated our one year anniversary in May with 4,000 donations,” he said.
“We’re really putting the call out there for Bramptonians and everyone in Toronto to roll up their sleeves and donate plasma,” Dulay said. “Our goal or target for this year would be 10,000 donations.”
He said around 70 to 80 people confirmed their attendance at the open house and advocates for more groups to attend donor clinics to build the support.
“Whether it be a community, friends, or even if you’re working with your colleagues, you can all roll up your sleeves,” Dulay said. “Imagine the impact that you’re having with one donation, with a group, you can have an even bigger push as well and help more patients across Canada.”
Cheryl Liuzza and Tracy Kamino, who are mothers of plasma recipients, shared their touching and impactful stories at the Brampton open house.
After her third birthday, Liuzza’s daughter Jayden started showing worrying signs. She developed tremors that made it difficult for her to sit, speak, hold her head up, and even eat.
Jayden was later diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the brain. After two full years of therapy and plasma treatments, she was able to recover and now lives a healthy life.
Kamino’s son was just 19 when he was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes a weakening of the muscles and immune system. Although there’s no cure, plasma treatments help reduce symptoms.
Her son has been a plasma recipient for the past 10 years and receives six bottles every month.
“When you think, one bottle takes 100 donors, he needs 600 donors every month and he’s been getting that so I’m so thankful to all the donors,” Kamino said.
She made her fifteenth donation at the Brampton clinic.
Liuzza and Kamino both hope the community is able to do their part by donating if eligible, to help save the lives and health of those in need.
“It is so easy to give,” Kamino said. “It takes one hour of your time and if you’re able to give it, why wouldn’t you try to save somebody’s life or make a difference to somebody else.”
“A lot of people don’t want to give up money, times are hard right now,” Liuzza said. “But this doesn’t cost you anything. Walk into the centre and donate.”
CBS said the public’s help is needed beyond blood donor week. Concerns remain unchanged and new active donors are necessary to keep Canada’s lifeline healthy.
“There are 150,000 appointments open that need to be filled to meet patient needs,” Duprey said. “Just over 21,000 of those appointments are in the GTA alone.”
For more information on blood donor eligibility and donation centre locations, visit blood.ca.