Blood donors are needed in Red Deer in order to ensure supplies stay at a healthy level this holiday season.

“Right now in Red Deer our inventory is good but we need to be proactive,” said Jenny Voysey, community development coordinator for Canadian Blood Services. “We are looking for people to make appointments to donate before and after Christmas which can be tough because donors are celebrating the holidays with their families.”

Throughout the country, Canadian Blood Services will need to collect close to 50,000 blood donations to meet the needs across Canada between Dec. 13 and Jan. 2.

However, Canadian Blood Services needs 22,000 more donors to book appointments and is asking eligible Canadians to donate blood to meet the needs of hospital patients during these challenging weeks.

With 52% of Canadians saying they or a family member have needed blood for surgery or medical treatment, donations would be appreciated by hospital patients and their families this holiday season, said Voysey.

She added in one hour a donor can help a cancer patient receive treatment, an accident victim survive or a new mother hold her baby after emergency surgery.

Meanwhile, Voysey said overall this year blood levels have consistently remained at a healthy level in Red Deer.

“The challenge is definitely keeping those levels up over the holiday season,” she said.

Call 1-888-236-6283 for more information or to book an appointment to donate. Also visit www.blood.ca.

The Red Deer blood donor clinic is located at 5020 68 St. They will be open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1-7 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. over the holiday season.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com