NEWS RELEASE
CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES
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We would like highlight some recent changes to our eligibility criteria that will impact blood collections.
In response to the Zika virus threat, we have implemented a 21-day wait period before donating blood, following travel outside of Canada, the continental United States and Europe.
At this time of year, we also have many donors travelling to malaria risk countries who require a 12-month deferral.
We anticipate that the combination of these two facts will impact the number of donors who are eligible to donate blood.
There are a number of ways we are asking our donors and the general public to respond.
- If you are eligible to donate blood, you can help by booking an appointment today at blood.ca or by downloading the GiveBlood App.
- If you or your family is planning to travel to countries with a risk of Zika virus, give before you go!
- If you could ask your colleagues and friends to consider donating blood, that would help us immensely. I’m attaching a poster for the Timmins Community Blood Donor Clinic, which you can also share on your social media pages.
Volunteer blood donors are critical to maintaining a healthy blood supply and ensuring patients continue to receive the safe and effective blood products they need.
At this time of year, new donors are critical to help offset the number of regular donors who are unable to come in due to seasonal travel.
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