Lake Country to hold its 1st-ever blood donor clinic
The municipality of Lake Country has never had a blood donor clinic. Until now. The first blood donor clinic will be held at the Memorial Hall in Lake Country, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lake Country has had blood donors. But they have had to go to the clinic in Kelowna, or to one of the mobile clinics held periodically in Vernon or West Kelowna.
Now, thanks to the initiative of the Rotary Club, one of those mobile clinics is coming to Lake Country.
Years ago, the Winfield Hospital Auxiliary supported local Red Cross blood drives. But that was before Canadian Blood Services took over from the Red Cross.
During summer, the need for blood increases, with more accidents on highways and in recreational areas. At the same time, the number of donors decreases, as regular donors take holidays or take time out to entertain visitors.
Over a year, Kelowna General Hospital alone uses 5,900 units of blood. (Each unit equals around 500 millilitres, about one pint or one-10th of the average human’s total blood supply.) Donated blood can only be stored for 42 days, so a constant supply is crucial.
The Aug. 30 clinic needs at least 90 donors to make it worthwhile, says Gayle Voyer, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services. So far, more than 50 people have already booked appointments. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
Restrictions on donors have been eased, Voyer explained. There is now no age limit – seniors over 70 can donate, unless their medications or recent travel disqualify them.
If you’re considering being a first-time donor, you can quickly check your eligibility at https://blood.ca/en/blood/eligibility-quiz.
You can make your own appointment online. If you have questions, you can get answers 24 hours a day, every day, at 1-888-236-6283 (1-888-2-DONATE).
Donating takes about an hour. The only advice is that you should hydrate yourself well. Drink lots of water the day before, and after giving blood.
You also need to bring photo ID with you.