Canadian Blood Services (CBS) continues to urge Canadians to donate blood during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet the needs of patients undergoing surgery and cancer treatments and to save lives following traumas such as car accidents.
A blood donor clinic takes place this Saturday, March 28 at Abbotsford Pentecostal Assembly (3145 Gladwin Rd.) and Monday, March 30 at Cedar Valley Mennonite Church (32860 Cherry Ave.) in Mission.
Appointments are fully booked at both locations, but walk-in appointments are also available at all blood donor clinics.
Other upcoming local clinics take place:
• Tuesday, April 7 at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, 3471 Clearbrook Rd. in Abbotsford
• Tuesday, April 21 at Garden Park Tower, 2825 Clearbrook Rd. in Abbotsford
• Saturday, April 25 at Cascade Community Church, 35190 DeLair Rd. in Abbotsford
CBS has previously stated that it was concerned about appointment cancellations due to the pandemic.
The agency says that donating blood continues to be safe, with “robust cleaning and infection-control practices.”
As well, all prospective donors are screened for any symptoms of illness, and those with any symptoms – even mild ones – are not allowed to donate blood.
Anyone asked by public health to place themselves under quarantine is not allowed to donate for 14 days from the date of their last contact with a case or suspected case of COVID-19.
Anyone with a case or suspected case in their household is also not permitted to donate blood for 14 days after the infected person’s recovery.
And anyone with a confirmed case is not allowed to donate for 56 days after full recovery from the infection.
Visit blood.ca for more information or to book an appointment.
RELATED: Canadian Blood Services worried about appointment cancellations during pandemic