After a story on Discover Airdrie last Monday (July  16th) an Airdrie resident questioned the blood shortage being experienced during the summer and asked if Canadian Blood Services had ever tried to make it easier for Airdronians to donate. 

So, for the answer to some of his questions, we went to Lisa Castro, Territory Manager, Donor Relations, Alberta and Saskatchewan for Canadian Blood Services and asked her those same questions.

Castro says there are two main reasons why clinics aren't held more often in Airdrie.  One is the length of time you have to wait between blood donations.  The other is the shortage of blood donors.

"You're eligible to give, for women, every 84 days and for men every 56.  When we come back for a clinic we want to make sure that it's within that rotation so that those donors who are regular donors can come back and new donors can step up.  We want to make sure that our donor base is eligible to give blood.  Right now, for our donor base, there are not very many people that are blood donors.  One in every second Canadian is eligible to give but we only see one in every 60 donating."

Another concern brought up is that all of the clinics that are held in Airdrie are usually booked up with appointments and don't make space for walk-ins.  Castro agrees that they have excellent pre-bookings for the Airdrie clinics but it's the people who cancel or just don't show up for their pre-booked appointment that make it difficult.

"When we come into a clinic we do want to be coming in 100 percent pre-booked.  We have great pre-bookings in Airdrie but it's the no-show rate and the last minute cancellations that really affect us.  As for walk-ins, the reason we prefer people book their appointments in advance because it ensures smooth arrival times and it helps donors move through the clinics as efficiently as possible.  Booking ahead also lets you select a time that matches your schedule and having a booking lets us offer you a reminder in advance and lets us ensure that a continuous and reliable supply of blood products will be on hand for hospitals."

Blood Services holds clinics in many communities outside Calgary, including Airdrie, Strathmore, Chestermere, High River and Okotoks.  Because it is a non-profit organization and these clinics are more costly to run, they need to be very cognizant of the costs involved.

The bottom line, according to Castro, is Canadian Blood Services comes to Airdrie as often as they can.

"We come to Airdrie on quite a regular basis.  We're almost there monthly and sometimes twice a month.  We're very thankful that we have residents in Airdrie that support our blood system on an ongoing basis. 

The next Airdrie clinic is tomorrow, Saturday, July 21st from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Town and Country Centre, 275 Jensen Drive.  To learn more go here.

Questions? Comments? Story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com