Critical need for blood as inventory levels below minimum need
Canadian Blood Services is asking Canadians to roll up their sleeves and donate blood as national inventory levels have reached critical levels.
The country typically requires between 20 to 25,0000 units on hand at any given time, but currently only has between 12 and 14,000.
“We currently have less than three days of inventory and we normally need to have between a five and eight day supply of blood product to meet hospital demand,” Tracy Smith, associate director of donor relations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan said. “We do have a critical need for donors to come out ideally between now and Canada Day.”
Smith directed blame for the shortage at the stormy winter and wet spring, which disrupted routine donors and forced the cancellation of many clinics across the country.