Canadian Blood Services is shooting for more than 500 extra donations this summer on P.E.I.
Donations can be made by anyone 17 and up, with just a few exceptions
The Canadian Blood Services donation centre in Charlottetown is aiming to attract more than 500 extra blood donations over the next seven weeks to help save or extend lives.
"More people are on the road, more people are driving, [there] could be an increased risk of car accidents," said Deborah MacGillivray, a community development manager with the organization.
She said Canadian Blood Services has a loyal group of donors on the Island, but it need more to fill about 500 empty appointments.
"We still can't take our foot off the gas pedal."
MacGillivray said most people can be blood donors, as long as they are at least 17 and in general good health.
They must also "be free of a tattoo or piercing for the past three months and bring government ID, like a driver's licence or a health card," she said.
"Some medications may prevent you from donating at this time, but not all. Some travel destinations may prevent you from donating at this time, but not all."
MacGillivray said the organization's website has an eligibility quiz to let people see if they are able to donate, which only takes a few minutes to complete.
Donated blood is a very valuable product, she pointed out.
"It's incredible. You could be saving somebody's life or helping extend their life. Blood is used for blood plasma platelets... The whole product is used for burn victims... It can be devised into a medication," she said.
"The red cells can give you energy, when you need it to go through a certain type of treatment. If you're living with cancer and undergoing chemo and radiation, often you are receiving some blood product."
MacGillivray said the charitable organization is accepting cash donations, but prefers the gift of blood.
"[We] realize not everybody has that spare money. So my question to those folks would be, 'Do you have an hour?'" she said.
"That's all it takes... and if you're in Charlottetown, it more than likely will only take about 40-45 minutes."
They just have a sense of pride, a sense of community.— Deborah MacGillivray
Donating blood helps donors too, she added. It can help balance iron levels, and donating at least once a year can help blood flow, which can reduce the risk of a heart attack.
MacGillivray said it can also provide social and emotional benefits for donors.
"They just have a sense of pride, a sense of community. The obvious is that a blood donation is going to help somebody," she said. "But often the donors don't even see that side of it, and they're like, 'I just feel super afterwards, I feel healthy afterwards, it's a wonderful experience.'"
The Charlottetown donation centre is located at 85 Fitzroy St. in the city's downtown.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Alex MacIsaac