While many are making summer vacation plans, Canadian Blood Services is remaining the Lethbridge community that need for blood and plasma donations never takes a holiday, because the need does not go on a vacation. With only about two per cent of eligible Canadians donating, demand continues to grow.
Lisa Castro, Community Development Manager with Canadian Blood Services, says the organization wants to ensure patients have access to the blood and plasma products they rely on every day.
Castro says men can donate whole blood every 56 days, while women are eligible to donate every 84 days. Plasma donors, however, can donate as often as once a week. She adds that Canadian Blood Services in Lethbridge has thousands of donation appointments to fill throughout the summer.