‘Supplies are tight’: Canadian Blood Services concerned about current inventory – CTV
Dec. 14, 2022
OTTAWA – Canadian Blood Services says it’s been successful in attracting new donors, but a slew of unfilled or cancelled appointments over the past few months has left the blood supply lower than it would like.
The organization set an ambitious goal in June of attracting 100,000 new donors to address its smallest donor base in a decade.
There were 31,000 fewer donors than before the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning more pressure on a smaller number of people willing to roll up their sleeves.
“We’ve certainly seen the donor base in the last several quarters slowly inch up again. I think about 80 per cent of that target has been met,” said Canadian Blood Services CEO Dr. Graham Sher.
“The facts are we have been able to meet patient needs consistently. We’ve delivered all the product to hospitals … but we’re going to the well too many times (with) the same donors.”
