Partners for Life

Spring/Summer Season Critical Time to Give Blood: Do you have an hour to give? Through the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program, the Edmonton diocese has pledged to give 100 units of blood in 2016. To date, 14 units of blood have been given by members of the diocese. Every 60 seconds in Canada, someone needs blood or a blood product. More than 200,000 blood donations are needed nationally by the beginning of July. While nearly 50% of all Canadians report that they or a family member have needed a blood donation, less than 4% of eligible donors actually give. It often takes many donors to help one patient. For example, it can take eight donors per week to help a Leukemia patient during treatment and up to 50 donors to help save the life of a car accident victim. The donation process takes about an hour from the moment you walk in the door to when you are enjoying cookies and juice in the refreshment area. You can donate whole blood every 56 days. At the main Edmonton clinic there are programs to donate plasma which can be done once per week and a platelet program where a donor can give every 12 days. For your donation to count toward our diocese’s annual goal, register online (with Google Chrome) by visiting www.blood.ca/joinpartnersforlife and enter our Partner ID code: ANGL696986, or download the app “giveblood” to your smartphone. You can also call 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book or to speak to a nurse if you have eligibility questions.