While the organization is so grateful to the blood, platelet and plasma donors who supported Canada’s Lifeline over the summer, the impacts of severe weather and wildfires mean they need many more people to book now to help meet patients’ needs.

As people get back into their fall routines, it’s a great time to double-check their eligibility to donate. Even if they thought they could never donate again, they may be able to resume because of updates to the donation criteria. Donor eligibility criteria undergo frequent revisions, resulting in changes based on current scientific evidence. As a result, thousands more may now be eligible to donate blood.

Remember, if anyone has questions or isn’t sure about their eligibility, they can call to speak with a trained health professional at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

All donor eligibility information in this article is current as of the date of publication. The very latest information is always available on Canadian Blood Services’ ABCs of eligibility page.

The post So You Think You Can’t Donate Blood? Check To Be Sure appeared first on Muskoka411.

Huntsville – Dec 19

Gravenhurst – Dec 20

Bracebridge – Dec 26

Parry Sound – Dec 30

There is no greater gift than one that is lifesaving. People across Canada are asked to give to patients in need throughout this winter season.

Canadian Blood Services has launched a new challenge called Give 3 in 2023 to inspire people to create a lifesaving habit starting right away and continue to help patients through a commitment in 2023. By contributing to Canada’s Lifeline this holiday season, a simple donation could go on to save a life and change so many more.

Every year Canadian Blood Services experiences a noticeable drop in blood, plasma, and platelet donations from November through to February. Get a head start on your Give 3 in 2023 commitments, it is easy. There are over 60,000 open appointments that need to be filled by the end of this year. There are also 1,000 people in Canada waiting for a stem cell match, and 4,000 people across the country waiting for an organ transplant. It is also a perfect time to make a financial commitment, which is another meaningful way to make all the difference in the lives of others.

The Give 3 in 2023 challenge asks people across Canada to commit to supporting patients in three different ways starting today, throughout the winter holidays and into the new year. The opportunities to make three different kinds of lifesaving contributions to Canadian Blood Services will have a lasting impact on the lives of others.

Participating in Give 3 in 2023 is not one-size fits all and each person can determine what works best for them using the suggested giving commitments at 3in2023.blood.ca. Every donation causes a ripple effect that goes on to have a lasting impact in the lives of others. A donation of any type doesn’t just make a difference, it makes all the difference.

“Although many Canadians are hopeful that the worst of the pandemic will be behind us over the next few months, we continue to experience the impact of COVID-19 through a high number of appointment cancellations. People cannot donate when they are not well. We also still rely on a relatively small pool of donors and registrants to meet patients’ needs. We need more people across Canada from all communities and backgrounds to become regular blood, platelet and plasma donors and more people to register as a stem cell donor or potential organ donor; patients and their loved ones are counting on it,” says Dr. Graham Sher, Canadian Blood Services’ CEO.

“Give 3 in 2023 identifies different types of donations and encourages folks to commit to giving in multiple ways. Brightening other lives by giving more of ourselves through Canada’s Lifeline is the greatest human connection we can make.”

Participating in the Give 3 in 2023 challenge can help grow the plasma supply to make needed medications for patients in Canada, particularly immunoglobulins which are made from plasma. It can help boost the national blood inventory to ensure patients have access to the blood products they need throughout 2023.  Everyone who can is encouraged to get involved.

You don’t have to wait until the new year to get started, you can begin your challenge today. Just visit the campaign webpage for more details and click on the link to Give 3 in 2023.

Easy-to-use tools are available on the Give 3 in 2023 webpage to support the campaign.

Giving something lifesaving during the winter holidays will make all the difference.

• Give blood, give plasma, give platelets.
• Post about your donations to social media, encouraging others to give.
• Share @CanadasLifeline social posts to spread the word on the need for more donors.
• Join the stem cell registry or register to be an organ and tissue donor.
• Give a financial contribution.
• Bring a friend to your next donation appointment.

Book your appointment online at blood.ca, on the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

The post Canadian Blood Services Asking People Across Canada To Save Lives This Holiday Season appeared first on Muskoka411.

Did you know? The relationship between Canada’s military and the blood system began with the early days of blood transfusion during WWI and grew as Canadians donated blood to help wounded troops during WWII. Since the start of our partnership in 2006, the Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces has collected 64,786 units of whole blood, plasma and platelets.

Calling all new and existing blood donors!

Each year, over 100,000 new donors are needed to make up for those who can no longer donate. This helps ensure reliable access to blood and blood products for patients, where and when they need it.

Currently, the need for plasma is more than four times what is donated in Canada. It could take over 100 plasma donations to help treat one patient for a year. All blood types are needed. Encourage a family member, friend or colleague to book an appointment to donate blood as well.

O-negative blood donors are especially needed though because this blood type can be transfused to any patient. In times of emergency or for newborn patients, O-negative blood, the universal blood type, makes a lifesaving difference.

If you’re in general good health, now more than ever, we need your support to help fill every available appointment. Many donor centres have extended hours and are open on Remembrance Day. Confirm your eligibility, find a donor centre near you and book now at blood.ca.

Donation appointment spots are available in the evenings, weekends and long weekend holidays at several donor centres and donation events in communities across Canada.

Donors from diverse communities help meet the needs of patients who need blood, plasma or stem cells. In some rare instances, patients require matches beyond basic blood groups which they are most likely to find in a donor from the same ethnic background (i.e. a compatible donor from within their community.)

Reminder: Making an appointment is necessary. Keeping it is crucial. Missed or cancelled appointments are difficult for us to fill since we can longer replace you with a ‘walk-in’ donor. Your donations matter. Patients — those among our most vulnerable populations — are grateful for your generosity, commitment, and support as donors. If you find that an event is initially full, please save the date and keep checking back on blood.ca.

Same day appointments are often available – in fact, we’ve been seeing a high number of last minute cancellations on the day of the clinic so there are often open appointments that can be booked on the morning of the event. Every donation appointment this fall needs to be filled. Everyone who can is encouraged to donate.

Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to book an appointment to donate at the same as you. Together, you can make donating blood, a new meaningful tradition. Without the ongoing dedication of blood and plasma donors, patients in Canada wouldn’t have access to lifesaving care where and when they need it.

There are blood donation clinics in Bracebridge on Oct. 24 and in Orillia on Nov. 10 and 14. Donors can also make a donation at the Barrie Donor Clinic at 231 Bayview Drive each week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Canadian Blood Services is looking for donor centre volunteers in Gravenhurst as well. Anyone interested in joining the team can message @LifelineNorthON on Twitter or visit blood.ca to learn more.

The post Canadian Blood Services Needs Donors And Volunteers This Fall appeared first on Muskoka411.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Canadian Blood Services had to reduce capacity at their donation events along with implementing various other COVID protocols. The restrictions remain in place, which means all donors must book an appointment to give blood. Elaine St. Pierre, territory manager for Muskoka and the surrounding areas, said they’ve been fortunate to be able to maintain their event schedule throughout the region, but the inability to accept walk-ins has taken away their only option for replacing no-shows.

“We go into these events fully booked and expecting that all these people are going to come, and we do get a lot of last-minute cancellations and no shows,” St. Pierre said. “As a result, sometimes we have trouble hitting our targets.” 

For donors that know they won’t be able to make their appointment, it’s important to cancel as soon as possible so that other donors can book in their place. With the limited number of appointments available, St. Pierre urges donors that were unable to book to check online for last-minute slots.

“I would encourage anybody if they weren’t able to get a spot a few weeks out, keep checking back the week of the event and even the day before or the day of,” St. Pierre said. “There may still be openings that are available, and every bed needs to be filled.”

Blood drives are coming up in Huntsville on Oct. 18 and Bracebridge on Oct. 25, and as of now, both events are fully booked. Along with checking back for cancellations, Muskoka residents travelling down to Barrie can take advantage of their additional appointment times.

The Barrie Donor Centre is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Long weekends always present a higher chance for things like car accidents, St. Pierre said, so this time of year presents an opportunity to give back while also giving thanks.

“Thanksgivings a time to be grateful, and I’ve got to tell you, I am so grateful for every person who books that appointment, who attempts to donate, who does donate and encourages someone else around them to do so because that is what keeps Canada’s lifeline going,” she said. “I just want to extend my thanks on behalf of the patients that we serve to all our Muskoka donors. They’re so dedicated and generous.”

To see available appointments in and around Muskoka, visit blood.ca.

The post Blood Services Reminds Donors To Honour Appointments As No-Shows And Cancellations Continue appeared first on Muskoka411.

• Donate blood, plasma or platelets: Over 100,000 new donors are needed each year to ensure reliable access to blood and blood products for patients, where and when they need it. To donate, you must: 

• • Be 17 years of age or older.
  • Be in good general health.
  • Carry government-issued ID or a Canadian Blood Services donor card.
  • Meet other eligibility requirements. Learn more at blood.ca/Am-I-Eligible.

• Make a one-time or recurring financial donation to Canadian Blood Services, or launch a fundraising event with proceeds in support of Canadian Blood Services — charitable Registration no. 870157641RR0001: For those who wish to increase their impact and complement their blood, plasma or platelet donation — or, currently unable to donate blood, plasma or platelets — a financial gift is a meaningful way to help make a lifesaving difference.

Financial donations help patients by strengthening our lifesaving programs and initiatives in five key areas: blood, stem cells, plasma, organs and tissues and research and innovation. For more information, visit give.blood.ca.

• Join the Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry or, if you’re an expectant mom in Ottawa, Brampton, Edmonton or Vancouver, donate your baby’s umbilical cord blood: Each year, hundreds of patients in Canada with blood diseases and disorders, including cancers, need a stem cell transplant to save their life — many of whom are facing challenges finding a matching donor.
  
  To join the stem cell registry, you must be:

• • Between the age of 17 and 35.
  • In good general health.
  • Free of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis B and C.
  • Free of health issues including cancer, blood diseases, insulin-dependent diabetes, certain heart conditions, etc.
  • Willing to be a donor to any patient in need.
  • Confirm your eligibility and start your registration at blood.ca/StemCells.

Expectant moms can also help patients in need of a lifesaving stem cell transplant by donating their babies’ cord blood. Canadian Blood Services’ Cord Blood Bank collects and stores cord blood for future use by any patient in need of a stem cell transplant. Donating cord blood is free, easy and poses no risk to mom or baby. Learn more at blood.ca/CordBlood. 

• Register your intent to donate organs and tissues and share your decision with your family: There are approximately 4,400 Canadians waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant with more than 3,000 Canadians on the waiting list for a kidney transplant. Not everyone in need of a vital organ receives a transplant. In fact, on average, 250 Canadians die each year waiting. Learn more and register your intent at blood.ca/Organs-Tissues.

Healthy adults can also be considered for living organ donation. For instance, a healthy person can give (donate) a kidney to someone whose kidneys aren’t working and still live a healthy normal life. This gift is living kidney donation. Learn more about living donation at blood.ca/living-donation.

• Join our Partners for Life program: Together with your team, you can make a lifesaving difference for those who live, work and play in your community and across Canada. Register a new team at blood.ca/partner-registration or join an existing team at blood.ca/pfl.
• Become a Canadian Blood Services volunteer: Whether it’s supporting blood donors, recruiting new donors, or raising awareness about the importance of blood, plasma, stem cell or organ and tissue donation, volunteers help save lives. Sign up at blood.ca/volunteers.

The post Ways To Support Canadian Blood Services appeared first on Muskoka411.

National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 13 to 19 this year, is typically a week full of celebrations with milestone donors receiving certificates to honour their contributions, said Elaine St. Pierre, Canadian Blood Services territory manager for Barrie, Muskoka, Simcoe, Dufferin and Grey. While they’re able to celebrate to an extent at blood donation clinics happening this week, most of the celebrations are happening remotely once again this year. Though it’s disappointing to lose in-person festivities for the second year in a row, it’s still an important time to recognize donors and their continued support, St. Pierre said.

“After more than a year of living with the pandemic and seeing its impacts on everyday aspects of life, it’s been comforting for us to see those donors that have come [to blood donation clinics] across the country and just continued to honour their commitment to donate and commitment to help others,” she said. “That sort of generosity has really been uplifting for us on a daily basis.”

Donors from in and around Muskoka have helped to ensure there’s a strong inventory of blood for patients when and where they need it, St. Pierre said, so the local branch of Canadian Blood Services has been in a good position for the last few months.

Throughout the pandemic, the organization has seen many new donors as well as a number of longtime donors. For some, donating blood has been a way to cope with feelings of helplessness as well as a way to help out in lieu of other volunteer activities, she said, but it’s important to remember the constant need for blood even as restrictions begin to ease across the province. Between the backlog of surgeries and other patients in need of blood, the urgency remains.

“As things start to open up, of course we want to just remind people that we’re still here and the donations are still needed every day,” she said. “The summer and the relaxing of restrictions might see us getting more outside and meeting up with friends and getting our social life a little more busy again, so we just really need to remind people of that commitment to come out and donate.”

Another way to help support Canadian Blood Services is by simply spreading the word.

“We’re a humble bunch, Canadians, and it’s not typical for us to sort of boast about a good thing that we’ve done,” St. Pierre said. “This is a bit of a different way to look at it: we want you to brag about being a blood donor because it will inspire somebody else.”

People often tell her about the many responses they receive after talking about being a donor on social media, St. Pierre said, so it’s a good opportunity to donate alongside friends and help save more lives. Appointments are still required for blood donation, so because of the service’s reduced capacity to collect, it’s important that donors fill and keep all available appointments.

Clinics are coming up in Huntsville on June 21, Parry Sound on June 25, Bracebridge on June 28 and Gravenhurst on June 29. If blood donation clinics don’t appear on the online booking system, it means all available slots are taken, but be sure to check back for cancellations.

Whether its first-time donors inspired by the pandemic or people who have donated for decades, Canadian Blood Services wants to express their gratitude to donors above all else this week.

“We’re really so thankful for everybody who has continued to support us,” St. Pierre said. “We couldn’t do what we do, we couldn’t serve those hospital patients, without the generosity of donors and so we just really want to say thank you.”

To learn more, or to book an appointment, call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or visit the Canadian Blood Services’ website. Share your story related to blood donation on social media by tagging @CanadasLifeline and using the hashtags #NBDW, #WBDD, #BloodForLife and #CanadasLifeline, or share your story online at mystory.blood.ca.

The post Canadian Blood Services Thanks Donors For Continued Support Throughout Pandemic During National Blood Donor Week appeared first on Muskoka411.

The post Canadian Blood Services: How Financial Donors Can Make A Difference For Patients appeared first on Muskoka411.

Donated blood lasts no longer than 42 days, and donations are continually being used to support patients with blood disorders and other medical conditions. Canadian Blood Services has over 5,000 appointments across Canada that need to be filled each month, and with walk-ins on pause during the pandemic, booking appointments in advance is more important than ever. Donation clinics are coming up in Huntsville on April 19, Bracebridge on April 26 and Orillia on May 17.

“We are so fortunate to have the backing of our Muskoka communities throughout the pandemic, not only the donors who roll up a sleeve, but our gracious host venues who have done their absolute best to keep the doors open and ready for us so that we can maintain our clinic schedule,” said Elaine St. Pierre, Canadian Blood Services territory manager for Barrie, Muskoka, Simcoe, Dufferin and Grey.

Below, St. Pierre answers some of the most common questions Canadian Blood Services has received as the vaccine roll-out continues.

Can I donate if I received a COVID-19 vaccine?

The answer is yes you can! There is no deferral period for donors who receive a COVID-19 vaccine. There is also no suggestion or evidence in the research available that donating blood, plasma or platelets reduces the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. While it is still unknown if there might be side effects with the vaccines, such as not feeling well enough to donate, we want to remind donors if they are not feeling well on the day of their appointment, they can reschedule their donation at a later date.

Do I need to make an appointment, or can I simply show up at my local donation clinic?

When the pandemic struck, we had to make the decision to only take donors with appointments and no longer accommodate walk-ins. For anyone that donated pre-pandemic, they would attest to the fact that we always did our best not to turn anyone away, even if they didn’t have an appointment. COVID-19 has changed that. We now have reduced capacity at our events, due to COVID protocols around physical distancing, and what that ultimately means is that there are fewer appointments available per event, and every one of them needs to be filled. In Muskoka, those spots tend to get snapped up quickly. Many of our Muskoka events often are fully booked weeks in advance. So please book ahead! 

Can another donor replace me if I miss my appointment?

Because we can no longer accept walk-ins, if you are lucky enough to have an appointment, it’s important that you keep it because we can’t replace you on short notice if you decide not to come. We are hoping that every donor who books a spot, keeps that commitment to ensure that our goals are met at each and every event. There’s a tendency to think that someone will fill your spot if you don’t come, but that’s no longer the case.

I want to donate blood at my local clinic. Why doesn’t the clinic show in the online booking system?

Because there aren’t any available openings at the moment – a great problem to have… Certainly worth mentioning, when one finds few (or no) available appointments, it’s important to keep checking back in case donors have to cancel.

Does the stay-at-home order affect blood donation appointments?

The order does not affect our operations. Donating blood is definitely an essential trip and I’m happy to say that we have successfully been collecting blood every single day throughout the pandemic, thanks to the generosity and commitment of donors across the country. The need for blood doesn’t stop, so neither do we!

Does my blood type matter when it comes to making a donation?

All blood types are needed and everyone who is able to is encouraged to donate.

Click here to check your eligibility, and visit the Canadian Blood Services’ website to learn more about donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post Vaccination And Blood Donation: A Q&A About Donating Blood During COVID appeared first on Muskoka411.

Whether you live in the heart of Muskoka, in Parry Sound or closer to Barrie, there are blood donation clinics coming up in your area this December. Due to COVID, walk-in donations are not allowed, so it’s important to book an appointment and keep that appointment, said Elaine St. Pierre, Canadian Blood Services territory manager for Barrie, Muskoka, Simcoe, Dufferin and Grey. The blood donation clinics in Orillia on Dec. 10 and in Huntsville on Dec. 21 are already fully booked, so St. Pierre urges donors to keep the appointments they’ve booked and encourages others to keep an eye on the clinics in case of cancellations.

“It’s important to keep checking back in case donors have to cancel,” St. Pierre said. “The reason why it’s so important to fill every available appointment: as part of the COVID-19 protocols, we can only accept donors with appointments, so if a donor doesn’t show up for their appointment or cancels at the last minute, we won’t be able to replace them with a walk-in donor like we have in the past.”

There are many openings available at most clinics and all blood types are needed, so everyone who is able is encouraged to donate.

“Together, apart, you can make donating blood a new meaningful tradition this holiday season, at a time when regular holiday commitments are up in the air or out the window completely,” St. Pierre said. “The one thing that never changes is the need for blood, so encourage a friend, family member or colleague to book an appointment to donate with you.”

See dates and locations for local blood donation clinics below. Check your eligibility and book your appointment online at blood.ca, by downloading the GiveBlood app or by calling 1-888-2DONATE. Share your donation selfies on social media by tagging @CanadasLifeline.

Parry Sound

St. Peter’s – Knights of Columbus Hall
52 Church Street, Parry Sound, ON, P2A 1Y7
Friday, December 18, 2 to 7 p.m.

Muskoka

Faith Baptist Church
169 West Road, Huntsville, ON, P1H 1M7
Monday, December 21, 1 to 7 p.m. – Fully booked, check blood.ca for possible cancellations

Gravenhurst YMCA
1 – 101 Centennial Drive, Gravenhurst, ON, P1P 1B9
Tuesday, December 22, 3 to 7 p.m.

Bracebridge Sportsplex
110 Clearbrook Trail, PO Box 2079, Bracebridge, ON, P1L 1V9
Monday, December 28, 2 to 7 p.m.

Orillia

Best Western Mariposa Inn
400 Memorial Avenue, Orillia, ON, L3V 6J3
Thursday, December 10, 1 to 7 p.m. – Fully booked, check blood.ca for possible cancellations
Wednesday, December 30, 1 to 7 p.m.

Barrie

Canadian Blood Services, Barrie
231 Bayview Drive, Suite 100, Barrie, ON, L4N 4Y5
Tuesday through Saturday all month (excluding Christmas)
3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

The post December Blood Donation Clinics In And Around Muskoka appeared first on Muskoka411.

Canadian Blood Services is looking for more donors to donate blood over the hot summer months. The need for blood is rising fast this summer as hospitals resume procedures that were put on hold due to COVID-19.  Our donors have shown incredible flexibility and commitment throughout the pandemic and we need that to continue as we adjust and respond to this next phase. 

More than half of all Canadians will either need blood themselves or will know someone that does. New and returning donors are urged to book an appointment to give life to ensure patients receive the blood they need.   

There are 250 combined appointments to fill at two Muskoka events in August. A Huntsville donation event will take place on Monday, Aug. 17 at Faith Baptist Church located at 169 West Road, Huntsville from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Then, a Gravenhurst event is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 31 at the Gravenhurst YMCA located at 101 Centennial Drive from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Holidays, family activities and changes in routines make it harder for people to find time to donate during this time of year. But the demand for blood never stops. The summer season often translates into a higher number of accidents on the road with a greater potential of injuries requiring blood transfusions. It can take up to 50 donors to help save someone who has been in a motor vehicle accident.   

While all blood types help patients, O-negative blood is demand by hospitals because it is the only type compatible with all other blood types.  As the universal donor, O-negative blood is always in need. Check your eligibility and book your appointment online at blood.ca or by downloading the GiveBlood app, or call 1-888-2DONATE.

The post More Blood Donations Needed In Muskoka This Summer appeared first on Muskoka411.