As people follow doctors鈥� orders to stay home, those who depend on donated blood 鈥� and public- health officials 鈥� are urging donors to keep giving.
Caroline Lennox has a compromised immune system, making her more vulnerable to COVID-19. To maintain her health, she relies on a product made of antibodies from donated blood.
鈥淚t鈥檚 like filling up my immune system鈥檚 gas tank every week,鈥� said the Victoria resident.
But Canadian Blood Services has reported a spike in cancellations in cities across the country, leaving Lennox concerned about access to her weekly treatment.
鈥淚t allows me to live. It keeps me from getting really sick and getting chronic low-grade infections. It allows my immune system to have a fighting chance,鈥� Lennox said. 鈥淚鈥檓 worried I won鈥檛 be able to get another supply.鈥�
sa国际传媒鈥檚 top doctor encouraged people to continue donating blood in an update to the country Tuesday. Dr. Theresa Tam, the country鈥檚 chief public medical health officer, said strong cleaning measures, screening and infection control at donation clinics mean it鈥檚 still safe to give blood.
鈥淚 would like to remind Canadians that there is an ongoing need to continue donating blood. We need blood donors to book and keep their appointments to prevent shortages,鈥� she said.
Dr. Isra Levy, a senior official with Canadian Blood Services, said Monday that donations dropped about 20 per cent late last week because of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and he鈥檚 worried about making up the difference.
Though some hospitals have cancelled elective surgeries, demand resulting from trauma from accidents and for cancer patients who need regular transfusions continues, Levy said.
Levy said while Canadian Blood Services鈥� national blood inventory allows products to be shifted around the country as needed and inventory is strong, the increase in donor cancellations 鈥� including corporate blood drives 鈥� could mean critical shortages are days away.
About 400,000 of sa国际传媒鈥檚 37 million residents give blood on a regular basis.
Canadian Blood Services has emphasized that it鈥檚 safe to visit clinics, since prospective donors are carefully screened for symptoms of illness, including mild ones. Those with any symptoms are not allowed to donate blood and are instructed not to visit.
Canadian Blood Services said in a statement they鈥檝e coped with large-scale public health concerns in the past, including SARS, West Nile virus, Zika and H1N1.
鈥淲e鈥檙e taking additional measures to enhance our protocols to better protect anyone who comes through our doors,鈥� the non-profit said. They ask anyone who is healthy and eligible to continue to book and keep their appointments.
Lennox hopes people heed the message. 鈥淧lease keep donating,鈥� she said.
鈥� With files from Canadian Press
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