Sudbury blood donations fall short of goal — and the weather might be part of the problem

Just like readings on the thermometer, blood donation numbers are down in Sudbury this winter, according to the Canadian Blood Services.

The local chapter collected just 154 of the 304 donations it was aiming for in the first week February.

In January, the organization set a target of 1,064 donations, but collected 636.

Territory manager Joanne Drake believes potential donors are being discouraged by the particularly frigid weather.

"People are nice and warm in their houses and they don't want to come out into the cold to donate blood. Unfortunately, we still have patients in the hospital who are waiting for that blood, so we need people to come in," says Drake.

Jennifer Seaward did make the trek out to the clinic last week to donate blood for the first time.

The Sudbury resident is also the mother of a young boy.

"When I had my baby, he had to go in the NICU [Neonatal Intensive Care Unit], and I saw some babies there needing transfusions. It made me really sad so I wanted to donate," says Seward.

Sitting in a clinic chair with a fresh bandage on her arm, she explains that other than a small initial prick, the experience was pain-free and positive.

"I have perfectly good blood that can be given to someone who needs it, like car accident victims, or even babies," says Seaward.

Lacking at all levels

According to Canadian Blood Services, less than 4 per cent of Canadians donate blood.

Drake says the situation is very similar at the local level.

"You can see a big gap in our collections mainly due to the fact we don't have the donor base here in Sudbury," she says.

The clinic is open five days a week, Monday to Wednesday, from 3 to 7 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Drake says there are no plans to extend hours, though she adds the clinic is always seeking ideas to encourage easier access to donate.

Where does it go?

Every unit of blood donated in Sudbury — and elsewhere in the province — is sent to a specialized facility in Brampton to be tested for diseases and other characteristics.

Units of blood are then sent back out into the health system wherever needed.