Blood donor clinic reopens

Blood donors are able to give blood in Charlottetown again, following a nearly year-long work strike.

The Canadian Blood Services clinic on FitzroySt. reopened Tuesday, for the first time since fall of 2015.

Blood collection workers voted to accept a new contract offer from their employer and return to work in late August. Workers have been training on new systems since.

Some changes at the clinic

There have been some changes at Canadian Blood Services in Charlottetown.

"Folks will see a brand new clinic environment it's been renovated since wewere away," said PeterMacDonald, director of donor relations for Canadian Blood Servicesin Atlantic Canada.

"We are very excited to be back in business in Charlottetown."

Donors will no longer have to fill out a paper copy of their record of donation. Instead, they have the option to complete one in advance, if they have an appointment and a profile. Donors can also complete it with the automated system at the clinic.

Bringing back existing donors

"We have focused our effortson bringing our donors back to existing donor base,"MacDonaldsaid, adding that the next twoweeks are almost fully booked.

The clinic will focus on encouragingnew donors more in the new year.

Canadian Blood Services in Charlottetown is open regularly Tuesday through Friday.

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