Canadian Blood Services urges holiday donations
Families temporarily living in Edmonton while their children receive medical care went to the city’s blood bank Wednesday to give back.
Waiting to donate blood, Kevin Cornish received a frightening text from his wife that their son, Nolan, would need a transfusion that same day. Out of all the “firsts” that he thought his newborn would experience in his first year of life, his first blood transfusion was not one of them.
“My heart is with my son,” he said through teary eyes.
Seven-month-old Nolan was born with two holes in his heart. The closest facility capable of treating his condition for the Weyburn, Sask., family was the Stollery Children’s Hospital.
While the nurse inserted a needle, Cornish explained that he and his family are staying at the Ronald McDonald House charity over the holidays while Nolan recovers from his surgery. The charity partnered with Canadian Blood Services to encourage blood donations during the holiday season.
Nicole Russell, a territory manager for Canadian Blood Services, said 2,500 appointments need to be filled in Edmonton between now and the first week of January to meet demand.
“It’s a really difficult time to collect blood. People are busy and they’re travelling. It’s harder to keep blood top of mind but the need never stops,” she said. “Kids like Nolan need blood so we need to make sure people are coming in between Christmas and New Year.”
The Oilers Entertainment Group was among the community organizations that joined the Ronald McDonald families in giving blood.
Vanessa Arrotta, a first-time donor, said the whole experience was extremely positive.
“I think I’m going to try and donate as much as I can throughout the year,” she said. “But during the holiday season, it is especially important because everyone deserves to be healthy with their loved ones.”
The donation process takes up to one hour. To make it as smooth as possible, Russell recommends donors eat a lot beforehand and consume sugar-heavy drinks and food, provided at the bank, afterwards.
Canadian Blood Services is temporarily extending its hours to accommodate donors’ busy schedules. It will remain open on Sundays, including Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.