Blood. It’s in you to give. Every 60 seconds, a Canadian is in need of blood.
This was the message on display at Collins Hall on Tuesday for the most recent Canadian Blood Services' blood drive. With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness month, the need for blood was greater than usual.
In total, 77 donations were needed to help fill the need. Around 81 people arrived to roll up their sleeves and help.
While donating blood, Richard Naval said he’s been a donor for more than 10 years.
“I’ve experienced people in my life suffer through cancer treatments and without transfusions and donors, they wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “I try to donate as many times as I can.”
With this clinic being only the second one held at Collins Hall, some residents of Elliot Lake were perhaps not aware of the clinic date and that likely hindered the number of donations that were happening, said Canadian Blood Services phlebotomist Jami Cunningham.
“We used to be set up at the high school (Elliot Lake Secondary School) but we had a cramped style and needed more space,” she said. “There is a billboard around the town that shows the date and time but I’ve noticed some people do not drive by here or walk by here to see the date and new location. I think this is why we sometimes have low numbers and we need the numbers to rise.”
Canadian Blood Services collect more than 100,000 units of blood per year. One unit of blood can be divided into four separate components to help four separate individuals, whether it be whole blood, white blood cells, plasma and platelets.
“I remember my cousin suffering through leukemia and receiving platelets and while blood cells,” said Naval. “I felt so bad for him. I’m so happy he’s here to share his story of remission and promote the need for blood donations.”
When asked how many individuals arrived at the clinic and if she was surprised with the turnout, Cunningham added that she was surprised and delighted with the amount of people who arrived.
“I know Elliot Lake is a giving community,” she said. “Turnout was amazing. We filled all our spots. The community kept us busy and I couldn’t be happier.”
Elliot Lake’s next clinic day will be Jan. 2, 2018.