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Time to bleed

There are not a lot of decisions a person can make that have the potential to positively impact another person’s life, as the decision to donate blood. It can literally be a lifesaver.

There are not a lot of decisions a person can make that have the potential to positively impact another person’s life, as the decision to donate blood.

It can literally be a lifesaver.

Unfortunately, it is a decision that not many people choose to make. Even though half of Canadians actually qualify to be donors, only one out of 60 people actually donate.

Yes, there are many reasons that can get in the way of giving blood. Life is complicated and, admittedly, it can be difficult to find the time.

Especially considering that in a small town the opportunities to donate are limited.

Last year, the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) mobile blood clinic visited Barrhead four times and while area residents have always stepped up to the plate it is important for them to continue to do so.

Blood and blood products have a finite shelf life and, even at the best of times, need to be constantly replaced, even if the need is static.

However, the pressure on the nation’s blood supply is rarely static. Predicting how much blood and when the system at any given moment needs is not an exact science. It is needed when it’s needed and in many cases the result of not having it on hand can be tragic.

Compounding the problem even further that out of the 400,000 or so regular donors, is Canadian Blood Services’ need to replace regulars, estimated at about 35,000 annually, who drop out of the donor system or due to changes in eligibility.

For example, in December, due to new research, CBS have increased the amount of time between donations for women by four weeks. Come March, the amount of hemoglobin needed in men’s blood will also increase, eliminating even more donations.

Blood is blood and whether it comes from the city or one of the mobile clinics that travel to rural communities doesn’t matter. The one thing is that it keeps coming and where and how often a mobile clinic comes to a community depends on volume.

Barrhead residents have a reputation of being generous donators who usually meet or exceed the targets.

So come on Barrhead let’s roll up our sleeves and donate.

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