Corner Brook's blood supply slows to a drip
Extra push on in the region this week to attract more donors
A supply of donor blood that is running dry, and a dwindling number of blood donors in one city on Newfoundland's west coast, is in line with a national trend.
Peter MacDonald, Canadian Blood Services Atlantic director of donor relations, says Canada's national blood supply is at a five year low, and the number of donors in the Corner Brook region has also decreased.
"We are concerned. I know that our donor base in Corner Brook in just the last year has declined by almost 5 per cent," MacDonald said.
Not enough blood to meet health needs
MacDonald said there is not enough blood in the Corner Brook region to meet the demand of local health care needs.
"There is a need and we want to get our numbers growing before the need gets even more," he said.
The normal, weekly blood drive in the region is taking place. However, MacDonald said there is currently an extra push on to recruit more blood donors.
MacDonald said the goal this week is to collect 80 units of blood, which is nearly twice as much blood as normally collected.
Blood donor clinics take place at the Canadian Blood Services Centre at 3 Herald Avenue in Corner Brook every week on Wednesday and Thursday from 12 until 2:30 p.m., then again from 4 until 7:30 p.m.