K-W blood donor clinics gear up for possible long weekend supply shortage
The Canadian Blood Services is asking first time donors to step up as they prepare for a potential rise in trauma situations over the long weekend.
The K-W chapter of the organization has opened up a special donation event that runs Saturday and the Civic Holiday Monday.
They hope to see at least 65 donors come throughout the weekend, but already saw many repeat donors stop by on Saturday.
"I've been doing this [every eight weeks] since 2002," said donor Steven Thai. "The constant need for blood is just ever constant.
"If you can donate blood, do it. There should be nothing to stop you."
For others visiting the clinic at the Bridgeport Plaza in Waterloo, like Andres, Gabriel, and Angel Quintana, giving back is a family tradition.
"First my parents did it when we were small," said Gabriel. "We would do it every so often whenever they could. Then I grew up, my brother grew up, and we also wanted to do it."
Local hospitals are currently preparing for what could be a weekend filled with unexpected emergency department visits.
"People are excited because they can finally go away and do things," said Gina Leyva, community development manager for Canadian Blood Services. "We are really worried about what this long weekend will bring us.
"We did have some really extraordinary dedicated donors who carried us through the pandemic, but at this point it's just not enough to keep things going."
The organization hopes to recruit 100,000 new donors in 2022 to make up for a dip during the pandemic.
"Things have calmed down dramatically," said Thai. "We should not be scared to go out and do stuff again."
While the clinic says they're always looking for the universal donor O-negative blood type, any type is needed and will be used.
"We are really urging anyone 17 or older who is able to donate to please consider booking an appointment to donate for the first time," said Leyva.
The Bridgeport Road East location is open and accepting appointments on the Civic Holiday Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.