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Orangeville residents donated134 units of blood on Monday

March 31, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Orangeville residents gave the gift of blood and platelets this Easter long weekend to help patients in need.

Canadian Blood Services held a clinic at Compass Community Church on Hockley Road Monday.

“Our goal was to collect 144 units, and we were just 10 units shy, collecting 134 units,” reported Elaine St. Pierre, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services.

There are two locations where Canadian Blood Services hosts clinics in Orangeville – Compass Church and the Best Western Hotel. Each location hosts six clinics per year, so there are 12 clinics each year.

“Including the results of Monday’s clinic, the total is now at 1,344 units of blood donated by Orangeville and area residents over the last 12 months,” Ms. St. Pierre said. “That’s actually enough blood to help 168 leukemia patients receive treatment for one week.”

Donors, especially new ones, are needed every day, she explained. While people have busy lives, it only takes an hour to donate, she added. People can donate blood every 56 days, but less than four per cent of eligible donors give blood each year.

“We’ve always done really well in Orangeville,” Ms. St. Pierre said. “It’s a really supportive community for donors. Thanks to Orangeville and area residents for being so supportive of our clinics, especially on a holiday.”

Orangeville resident Adelle Plester has donated 76 times since 2000.

“It’s in you to give – there is no other reason,” said Ms. Plester, adding you never know when you might need blood. “Somebody has to give. Your blood replenishes itself right away.”

Mark Potter from Orangeville also took the time to donate Easter Monday. His blood type is O-Negative, which is relatively rare compared to other blood groups. Only seven per cent of the Canadian population has O-Negative blood. While O-Negative blood can be given to anyone, O-Negative donors can only receive O-Negative blood.

“It’s the right thing to do,” he said.

The need for blood and platelets is especially high over the long weekends. The next blood donor clinic in Orangeville will take place on Victoria Day, Monday, May 23 at Compass Community Church.

“Blood is needed every day but especially on the long weekend,” said Ms. St. Pierre. “The need for blood never takes a holiday.

Platelets are a vital blood component that help make blood clot and control bleeding. They are collected as part of the blood donation and have a shelf life of only five days outside of the body, which means it’s not possible to create a reserve of platelets.

“If you didn’t get to donate, you can go to our website, blood.ca and find out if you’re eligible and how to book an appointment,” said Ms. St. Pierre. “You can help us recoup the blood we lost.

At the regular meeting of Dufferin County Council on March 10, the Warden proclaimed the month of April 2016 as BeADoner month in the county.

The event will be launched next Monday  at the Dufferin County Ambulance station, 325 Blind Line, when emergency services and members of the BeADoner committee will be in attendance.

For more information, visit www.blood.ca, call 1-888-2-DONATE or download the GiveBlood app.

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