ST. PAUL - If you were thinking about donating blood at the upcoming donor clinic being held in St. Paul in February but you haven't made an appointment yet, you may need to venture to a different clinic to do so.
“We are already 100 per cent booked," said Nicole Russell, Territory Manager with Canadian Blood Services, Friday afternoon. She noted that in 2019, there were a total of three clinics held in St. Paul and 110 per cent to target was collected at those clinics.
A total of 30 new donors donated for the first time in St. Paul in 2019, "which is awesome," said Russell, adding, there is a really strong donor base in the community.
The donor clinic is being held on Feb. 19 at the St. Paul Rec. Centre. For people who still want to try to get in on that day, they can keep an eye out online to see if there are any cancellations by visiting blood.ca, the Canadian Blood Services website.
But, before booking an appoinment, Russell recommends people also read over the eligibilty criteria on the website. Given that it is flu season, it is suggested that if people aren't feeling well, they cancel their appointment.
Because the clinic is already fully booked, Russell encourages people who do have appointments but are unable to keep their appointment, to cancel ahead of time so that others can grab those spots.
Right now, the "national inventory is meeting demand and patient need,” for blood. But, donated blood only lasts 42 days, “so the demand never stops," said Russell.
On average, Canadian Blood Services travels to St. Paul for donor clinics about three times a year. Following the February clinic, May 27 is the next date donors will want to keep in mind.
Russell offered a big thank-you to all the donors in St. Paul, “because they are super dependable.”
A donor clinic is also being held in Bonnyville on Feb. 18.
