Canadian Blood Services is changing its guidelines for iron levels to further promote health and wellness among blood donors. Female donors will need to wait longer between blood donations and male donors will need to pass a slightly stricter hemoglobin test.

Starting Dec. 10th, female donors will need to wait 12 weeks between blood donations, replacing the current eight week waiting period. The minimum allowable hemoglobin level for male donors will increase starting March 5th from 125 g/L to 130 g/L.

“We continue to promote the health and wellness of donors as they donate the important and generous gift of life,” said Judy Jones, associate director of donor relations in the Prairies and Northwest Territories region. “Many donors will not be able to donate as often, so others must step forward to fill this gap by giving blood and encouraging friends and family to make giving a part of their lives.”

Patients are relying on 100,000 new donors from across the country to give blood this year alone. More new donors are needed right now to help save lives. In Red Deer, we need about 200 new blood donors within the next four weeks. Canadian Blood Services is also calling on eligible donors to book an appointment today while walk-ins are also welcome at all clinics.

Red Deer residents can donate blood at the Red Deer Blood Donor Clinic, #5 5020 – 68th St., which is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m., and Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To book an appointment, use the Give Blood App or visit blood.ca. Those with appointments are encouraged to keep their appointment and bring a friend or family member to donate with them.

– Fawcett