The Beauty of Giving

Posted by Rose Marie Basaraba

on Oct 19, 2011

The presentation by Lori Bosko, Community Services Coordinator for Canadian Blood Services, was both thorough and insightful.

Did you know…?

There is no subsititute for human blood

 Blood has a short life (used within five days)

 There is an aging donor base

 85,000 new donors are needed every year to meet the demand

 In a one-hour donation (whole blood, platelets, plasma) 3 lives are saved

Consider what you do in one hour (none of which include driving time):

 Watch your favourite TV show

 Meet a friend for coffee

 Take a class

 Work out at the gym

 Go grocery shopping

 Make a donation at Canadian Blood Services

Blood required for emergencies and surgery:

 Up to 4 units for abdominal surgery

 Up to 8 units for heart bypass surgery

 Up to 50 units for a car accident

 Up to 100 units for a liver transplant

Blood required for ongoing treatment:

 8 units/week for cancer patients

 Other treatments such as sickle cell disease and bleeding disorders

Percentages of blood types in Canada (do you know your type?):

 Type A+/- 42%

 Type O+/- 46%

 Type B+/- 9%

 Type AB +/- 3%

Safety is paramount when screening donors and donations. Blood saves lives. It could be your children, parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family and friends who require a donation.

Please make the time to donate. It is IN YOU to give.