Poor weather across Canada puts strain on national blood supply

Canadian Blood Services says poor weather across the country is putting a strain on its inventory at a time when it needs it the most.

Peter MacDonald, director of donor relations for Canadian Blood Services in Atlantic Canada, is urging donors to keep their appointments in the coming weeks to avoid having any impact on hospitals.

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"We have lost opportunities to collect blood, where it's critically important going into the holiday season and up to the end of the year," he said.

Canadian Blood Services moves blood around the country from a national inventory to support regions in need, but recent poor weather in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia have put "additional strain" on that inventory, MacDonald said.

'Hospital demand remains constant'

We have lost opportunities to collect blood, where it's critically important going into the holiday season and up to the end of the year. Peter MacDonald of Canadian Blood Services

"Our inventory is OK at this point in time, but always our goal in the blood system is to build inventory heading to the holidays because we have less opportunities to collect during the holiday season, but hospital demand remains constant," he said.

"Hospital patients don't necessarily get a Christmas vacation."

'Never too late'

Stormy weather Thursday forced cancellations at clinics in Charlottetown and Miscouche, P.E.I.

But, weather cooperating, there are still opportunities to donate from now until the end of the year, MacDonald said.

"It's never too late to give the gift that can't be bought and to put a little joy back into somebody's Christmas by donating blood."

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