![night sky lit by blood drop-shaped searchlight](http://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/visualarts/sites/uwindsor.ca.dailynews/files/styles/full/public/450_bloodsignal.jpg?itok=BClDXty7)
Canadian Blood Services invites UWindsor students to make a donation at its campus blood donor clinic Tuesday—and bring a friend.
“Bringing a friend along gives our valued donors a chance to double the amount of good they can do,” says Joan Hannah, community development coordinator for Canadian Blood Services. “Many potential donors never give blood because they have never been asked.”
She said the process, from walking in the door, through screening, donation and recovery, takes only an hour.
Blood donations typically decrease around a holiday weekend as regular donors travel or are otherwise occupied, but the need doesn’t decrease.
Making a donation before, during or after the long weekend will help ensure an adequate supply for patients in need, says Canadian Blood Services. The staff invites members of the campus community to bring a friend and give during a donor clinic Wednesday, March 27, from 5 to 8 p.m.in the Oak Room, Vanier Hall.
Walk-ins are welcome, and if you wish to book an appointment, phone Sandra Davis at 519-253-3000, ext. 5067.
The need for blood in Canada is constant—medical patients everywhere need blood in all seasons. Hospitals continue to draw on the supply of blood as Canadian patients require care regardless of the weather, as they undergo treatment for cancer, surgery, for car accidents and other traumas, and for hundreds of other medical situations that require lifesaving blood.
Noah Bondy is 19 months old and has severe Factor X deficiency, a rare blood coagulation disorder characterized by spontaneous internal bleeding. He is treated every week by injection with a medication derived from donated blood.
His mom says, “Without blood donations, Noah’s chances of spontaneous internal bleeding would be increased and he could face chronic pain from repeated joint bleeds, arthritis or even death from an uncontrolled bleed into major organs or his brain.”
A blood donor clinic scheduled for Vanier Hall on Wednesday is aimed at students living in residence but open to all, says Canadian Blood Services.
The clinic runs 5 to 8 p.m. on January 30 in the Oak Room; as always, walk-in donors are welcome. The entire experience, including health assessment and recovery, takes about an hour.
“Just an hour to help save a life,” says Joan Hannah, community development coordinator for Canadian Blood Services. “We hope students will attend and bring a friend as well!”
Can you spare an hour to help save a life? Tuesday, January 22, is your chance to be a lifesaver, as the Canadian Blood Service will hold a full blood donor clinic in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For this clinic, the Canadian Blood Service will use its appointment system. It encourages donors to book appointments by calling 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Walk-in donors are still welcome but appointments will better accommodate donors’ working schedules.