We never know when we'll be needing a pint or two of blood, such as during a surgery or an unforeseen mishap that brings us to the ER.

We don't like thinking about it, but it is important to remember that for every vehicle accident, a patient can require up to 50 units of blood. That requires 50 people to give blood.

Canadian Blood Services is calling out for more donors to roll up their sleeves and donate.

Community Development Manager and Donor Relations & Collections for Manitoba CBS, Brett Lawrence, says the need for blood donations is crucial to Manitoba's health care system, and it's a way that Manitobans can give back.

Lawrence encourages folks to start 2024 by giving back to their larger community of Manitoba by becoming a blood donor. 

"It's a new year and if you haven't donated before, why not try something new," he shares. "Donating blood can be part of your routine, acknowledging that if the donor clinic in your area is an hour or more away from your home, even planning twice a year, either when you're in Brandon or Winnipeg, make an additional stop for about an hour of your time at one of our donor centers."

"And even doing it once or twice, makes a huge difference," he adds, "because most people in Manitoba don't donate blood. So, even if everyone who was eligible just did it once or twice a year that would be more than enough to cover us."

Of over 870,000 Manitoba who are eligible to donate blood to CBS only around 2% actually do.

The pandemic changed our routines in many ways.  Many folks learned they could work from home and weren't out and about as much.  Us regular donors fell out of habit of signing up for the next clinic often held at the Victoria Inn in Brandon, for those of us in the Westman Region through the CBS mobile unit.

Starting the new year with a new (or renewed) habit of booking an appointment to donate benefits our province. Better yet, encourage a buddy to join you!  Of course, they would need to see if they're eligible, but hey why not!?

"I know some people donate specifically around the holidays," explains Lawrence.  "And I know someone who, with his group of friends, every 2 or 3 months they donate and then they all go out for dinner after, and that's their way of connecting with friends. So, I think maybe getting into something like that, to get it ingrained into your schedule as a tradition, it's going to make a big difference in making it a lifetime habit."

In the summertime it can be difficult to get folks out to the blood donor clinics because they're busy with jobs and recreational activities.  However. the winter months can be difficult as well as it's cold outside and folks might not be as eager to go out if they don't have to.  Also, many donors are snowbirds and head south for the winter, not to mention winter storms, icy travelling conditions and cold and flu season for those of us staying on this side of the border.

"Even in the wintertime when we want to stay inside, that need for blood is still there. It's ever constant," notes Lawrence. "If you could just put an hour aside and come and donate it would really make a difference."

One change in CBS is the lifting of this restriction:   If you’ve lived or spent time in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland or France during the ‘mad cow disease’ outbreak of the 1980s and 1990s, you may now be eligible to donate blood, plasma and platelets in Canada. 

The next blood donor clinic takes place through the CBS mobile unit will be Thursday, January 18th at the Victoria Inn - Imperial Room, Brandon.

Visit Canadian Blood Services website HERE to set up your appointment.

Please listen to more with Brett Lawrence below and be inspired to join the blood donor team!