Blood clinic calling for donations

Edmonton’s Canadian Blood Services clinic hopes to fill 450 open appointments over the next two weeks to replenish dwindling stocks of donated blood, says a Canadian Blood Services spokesperson.

“We’re part of a national inventory so no patient goes without blood, but with so many appointments open, we really need Albertans to book to donate now,” Deb Steele-Kretschmer said Friday.

“Summer is typically a time when we do see a drop in donations because during the summer months people change their routines, they go on vacations, they’re involved in outdoor activities, but unfortunately the need for blood does not take a holiday.”

Blood-donor clinics were cancelled last month because of the flooding in Calgary and High River, costing about 600 donations, Steele-- Kretschmer said.

Nearly 12,000 appointments across the country between June 1 and July 18 were not filled, which is more than normal, she said.

A fun run this weekend, called Stride, will give the blood supply a boost.

Participants collect pledges for blood donations rather than money in the third-annual event, which includes a 4.2-kilometre walk and 7.2-kilometre run Sunday morning at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.

“People have until Aug. 31 to actually make the donation,” Steele-Kretschmer said.

“Last year, in terms of donations, this event recruited 145 donations, so it’s significant,” she said. “Last year they had 100 people.”

Organizers hope that will double this year.

Donors can call 1-888-2-DONATE or go to www.blood.ca.