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‘Tis the season of giving: Canadian Blood Services looks for volunteers
by Steven Kiser
the Carillon
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is in mid-swing of Canadian Forces (CF) challenge, and has plans to kick off their “More the Merrier” campaign in a few short weeks.
The Canadian Forces challenge is in recognition of the fact that the CF have an understanding of the need for blood. “A lot of people in the military donate blood regularly, and it is our way to recognize them and get support for the Canadian Forces,” says Linda Paidel, a member of the Canadian Blood Services. The CF challenge is also run in conjunction with Rememberance Day, as Canadian Blood Services’ way of saying thank you to veterans.
The “More the Merrier” campaign is more broad, and is based around friends and family getting together at this time of year, and the feeling of Christmas and giving. “It is a meaningful way of spending time together,” says Paidel.
Adding to that, Dr. Graham Sher, chief executive officer of Canadian Blood Services, remarks that, “Donating blood is an excellent way to celebrate the spirit of the holiday season with people who are close to you.”
The Canadian Blood Services runs campaigns with themes all year long. While the national office for CBS came up with the Rememberance Day and Christmas campaign, local offices look after the other holidays like Valentines Day, and the long weekends. “The campaigns are planned around times when the possibility of accidents and the need for blood may increase,” states Paidel.
Despite the positivity surrounding blood donations, the blood drive at the university on November 25 was not a great success. A quota of 130 was set, unfortunately, only 71 units of blood were collected, and only 92 people attended. “We do know that students and faculty at the university have a lot of demands on their time around this time of year,” remarks Paidel on the difficulties experienced at blood drives, “it means a lot, not only to the people at Canadian Blood Services, but to the people who need blood as well.”
In order to meet the national blood quota of 124,000 units, Saskatchewan has been given the task of collecting 1,100 units per week for the next eight weeks. Sadly, the CBS in Saskatchewan has had a tough time meeting that quota; they have been collecting about 95 percent. While five percent may not sound like a lot, it actually is. “Five per cent may actually be 100 units of blood,” says Paidel, “that is a lot of blood.”
The uses for blood are vast, ranging from a simple blood transfusion to a plasma transfusion, which is a blood product used in bleeding disorders, severe burns and a host of other blood-related problems. For every one unit of blood collected, that unit can be used for up to four different procedures, meaning up to four different people can benefit from a single donation.
“Blood is a gift,” exclaims Paidel, “it doesn’t cost anything to give, but it is invaluable to the person who recieves it.”
The next donor clinic at the University of Regina will be held on January 27, 2003.
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