Dec 29 2006Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is urging people to roll up their sleeves before ringing in the new year this weekend.
During the festive season, members of the community usually take holidays, but the overall need for blood for hospital patients typically increases – partly due to traffic accidents.
Currently, the number of B.C. donors does not meet the need and hospitals must import blood from other provinces.
Only 2.8 per cent of eligible B.C. residents donate blood compared to the national average of 3.5 per cent.
More than 17,000 units of blood had to be imported last year to meet the needs of B.C. patients.
“One way Canadian Blood Services addresses this situation is by partnering with numerous ethnic, cultural, religious, community and business groups to promote the need for blood and recruit new donors,” said Gary Dhillon, community development coordinator for the CBS Surrey clinic.
Last month, the Sikh Nation set a record for donating the highest number of units of blood in one week: 262.
“We are pleased to be working with Canadian Blood Services on this challenge,” said Sukhdeep Singh, campaign volunteer.
“Members of the Sikh Nation strongly believe in the importance of giving back to the community and what better way than supporting a program that helps to save lives.”
Since 1999, Sikh Nation has donated more than 4,300 units of blood.
Dhillon is urging donors to make an appointment to give blood at the Surrey clinic (6380 King George Hwy. on Dec. 28, 29 and 30. Call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Source: Surrey Leader
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