Simcoe County blood donor clinics face critical shortages
The Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is facing a critical shortage in blood supply throughout the country.
The shortage is being felt in several cities, including Barrie.
The local agency is reporting less than three days worth of supply for 0+ and 0- blood types, while supply for A+, A- and B- is estimated to be five days worth.
“It’s probably the perfect storm right now, we are probably seeing the lowest donor base we have seen in over a decade, and we have probably lost about 31,000 donors across the county,” said Elaine St.Pierre, Community Development Manager for Canadian Blood Services.
According to the agency, the number of donors has slowly declined throughout the past two and half years, as many were forced to stay home.
However, as thousands head back to pre-pandemic activities, the need for blood is increasing.
“We have gone back to where the hospitals are trying to clear the backlog of elective procedures that were on hold during the pandemic, so the demand for blood is now over pre-pandemic levels,” said St.Pierre.
According to CBS, frozen plasma has a one-year shelf life and a 42-day shelf life for red blood cells.
“It’s important to know that the need never stops and blood always has a short shelf life,” said St.Pierre.
Currently, the agency says its Barrie donation location has over 300 appointments available for those looking to donate.
“The Barrie donor centre at 231 Bayview Drive is open four days a week, and we really encourage people to book not only in the weeks but in the months ahead so that we can keep serving those patients,” said St.Pierre.
More information about booking an appointment can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.