A special kind of Christmas gift
Paradise man’s blood donation delivered immediately to waiting recipient
It was like being a secret Santa to a secret recipient — but Brian Young of Paradise knew all he needed to know because the gift he was giving was far more valuable than anything that could be bought in a store.
On Saturday, the 49-year-old — originally from Stephenville Crossing — donated blood for the 84th time. And while he’s always done it to help others, this time was extra special.
This time, there was a recipient who needed his particular kind of blood so badly, it had to be delivered immediately.
“When I was sitting in the chair, they had the envelope ready to be delivered by courier,” Young told The Telegram. “The person needed it right away.”
Young has O-negative blood, referred to as the universal donor type that makes up only seven per cent of the population. The recipient of his blood — who wasn’t identified due to confidentiality rules — needed Young’s specific makeup of platelets as well.
Before he found out about the recipient, he wasn’t even going to go. He had made an appointment at Canadian Blood Services, but cancelled shortly after because his wife had just had back surgery.
“I wanted to be there to take care of her, but when I cancelled, I got a call back right away, telling me someone was waiting,” Young said. “I knew I had to go.” He’s glad he did.
“It felt different this time,” he said. “It really was a wonderful feeling, knowing that just an hour in the chair (at Canadian Blood Services) would be all it would take and my blood was going to help someone right away.”
Gordon Skiffington, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services in Newfoundland and Labrador, said there is a constant need for all blood types throughout the year, but there’s an increased need during Christmas.
“Occasionally over the holidays, we find certain days challenging as our regular donors are preoccupied with get-togethers and family events and are not coming to donate,” he said.
Skiffington said during the holidays, until Dec. 31, a total of 250 donors are needed to give blood in St. John’s. As of Tuesday, 80 appointments have been booked — 30 per cent of what’s needed.
He said 14,000 units are needed for hospitals in the province — including for those who receive cancer treatments, which are ongoing over the holidays, along with accident victims.
Skiffington pointed out that blood is a perishable product. While blood for red cells can last up to 42 days, overall a threeto five-day supply exists in the province. Platelets have a seven-day shelf life, and plasma can be frozen for up to a year.
He said for the most part, this province is self-sufficient when it comes to the blood supply, and most of the blood collected here stays here. But he noted Newfoundland
and Labrador is part of a national inventory system — meaning blood can be delivered here from other provinces, while if there’s a surplus here, blood of donors in this province can be shipped elsewhere in the country.
For those afraid of the process, Skiffington said it’s a small price to save someone’s life.
“I always tell people, think about the child at the Janeway who needs your blood, think about the accident victim,” he said. “One donation of blood can help multiple people.”
The donor clinic at 7 Wicklow St. is open 8:30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. Christmas Eve); 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Boxing Day; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Appointments can be made online, but walk-ins are also welcome. Donors must have government ID, including MCP, driver’s licence or passport. It’s recommended that donors eat and drink lots of fluids before giving blood. Snacks are provided.
“If someone’s looking to give that perfect gift,” Skiffington said, “there’s no better gift.”