Need for blood donations is ‘consistent and ongoing’ says Canadian Blood Services

With the current emergency lockdown orders in place, Canadian Blood Services are experiencing a decline in donations.

By Laural Samson

BELLEVILLE – With the new stay-at-home orders and the current lockdown in effect, it appears that donating blood may not be a top priority for Belleville residents.

But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a need for blood according to Debbie Barfoot, a territory manager for Canadian Blood Services.

“Now with the second lockdown in place, there is a dip in the collections,” Barfoot said.

Barfoot said that there was a similar decline at the start of the pandemic, when there wasn’t as much information about how to safely donate.

“Obviously people were unconcerned (not thinking) about donating blood, and because it was all new, and the messaging from leadership and government was saying this was what we were dealing with- there was a lot of fear involved,” Barfoot said.

She also said that this dip only lasted a month and a half; once the government made public statements that it was safe to donate blood, people began donating again.

However, Barfoot did say that the new safety measures put in place by the government are stronger than the previous ones from the first wave.

For Canadian Blood Services, Barfoot said this means just trying to get their message of safety and precautions out to those who can donate.

“We are hoping that as we get our message out in what we are doing during COVID-19 and all the health and safety wellness precautions and enhanced cleaning that we’ve put in place, that people will feel comfortable coming in to donate blood,” Barfoot said.

The Canada Life Week to Save Lives donor event is underway! Make an appointment at one of @CanadasLifeline’s 35 centres, or at a @HemaQuebec Globule or Plasmavie centre if you’re in Quebec.

Learn more: https://t.co/4cUSGdwNhD #ForLifeAsYouKnowIt pic.twitter.com/VG2pUR1vDR

— Canada Life (@canadalifeco) January 18, 2021

Some of these safety measures include a reduced capacity of people inside the clinic, a strict adherence to physical distancing, pre-packaged snacks that people can take on their way out, and surgical masks for every person coming through the door.

“We have enhanced cleaning measures at all of our donor centres. So we have cleaners coming in and doing a complete sanitation before and after each event, and we have cleaning occurring during the event where they are sanitizing all touch point surfaces,” Barfoot said.

She also said that no one can donate blood without an appointment, and that everyone’s temperature is taken before they are allowed inside.

A new location has also been added to the blood donation circuit – there are now 30 open appointments currently available on Feb. 5 at the Grand at 70 Harder Drive in Belleville. 

With a new location and extra safety measures in place, Barfoot says there’s never been a better time to donate.

“I donate as much as I can,” Belleville resident, Linda Wilson-Jenkins, said. She also stated that “not much had changed” when she went to donate three weeks ago.

“I felt very safe and they sanitized after every donation,” Wilson-Jenkins said, also adding that the pandemic has not gotten in the way of her donating.

“I think if you can donate, you should- it’s in you to give and help others.”