A provincial blood donor challenge among medical laboratory professionals at Alberta Health Services will be held at the Canadian Blood Services’ clinic in Red Deer.
This is the first year for the Blood Matters challenge.
“Medical laboratory professionals at the Red Deer Regional Hospital spearheaded the event to celebrate National Medical Laboratory Week and to take an active role in providing blood products for the patients they serve,” said Jenny Voysey, community development coordinator.
Eligible blood donors can give blood every 56 days, about six times a year.
“Considering each blood donation can help save up to three lives, one individual can positively impact up to 18 patients in just one year,” said Voysey.
The goal of the Blood Matters Challenge is to help Canadian Blood Services collect about 12,000 donations across Alberta during the month of April.
Some of the representatives from Alberta Health Services that are donating include Camille Bailer, director, rural/suburban – Central Zone Laboratory Services, and Tammy Hofer, vice president of Laboratory Services.
“Representatives from Alberta Health Services’ Laboratory Services department will launch the Challenge by donating blood as a team.”
Nine hundred of the cumulative 12,000 donations must come from the Red Deer area.
Because this is the first year for the Blood Matters Challenge nobody knows which region will win.
The Challenge runs through to April 30. In order for donations to count towards the Challenge, donors are asked to add their name to the sign up sheets available at the clinics.
The Red Deer blood donor clinic itself has existed since 2000 and has recently undergone major renovations.
“Bigger, brighter, and more modern, the new clinic was designed to provide a better experience for our donors and more space for staff and volunteers.”
The improved clinic will continue to serve the same area as in the past and people are encouraged to consider donating.
“Our hope is that donors will feel more comfortable in the new space, tell their friends what a great experience they had, and encourage more people to give blood.”
For more information visit www.bloodservices.ca.
kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com
