Canadian Blood Services hope you’re in the giving mood.
That’s because they will be holding a blood drive at the Bancroft Pentecostal Tabernacle on Christmas Eve from 10 AM until 3 PM. Debbi Barfoot, territory manager with Canada Blood Services, says there are still 65 open appointments that need to be filled.
Barfoot says you will need to bring a government-issued ID like a driver’s license or health card. She adds that you should also be in “good general health.”
“For first-time donors, we recommend going online to blood.ca to take the eligibility quiz,” Barfoot says. For first-timers, you will also get a blood donor card with your blood type on it afterwards.
Barfoot adds that O negative blood is their most pressing need. Barfoot says that O negative blood is a “universal blood” which means it any be given to anyone. “In an accident or emergency situation, there’s no time to test for blood type so they’re automatically reaching for O negative blood,” she says.
“The holiday season is very challenging for Canada’s blood supply,” Barfoot says when asked it’s important for people to donate blood. The donation process takes between five and 10 minutes.
To book an appoint you can go online to Canadian Blood Services’ website or call 1-888-236-6283.