New Westminster rolls up sleeves for roving blood bank
By Dylan Hackett, News Editor
Last Thursday, the Bloodmobile pulled up to Douglas College, prompting students and staff to roll up their sleeves and load up the Canada Blood Services’ lorry with their red blood cells. Appointments were soon booked for the entirely of the six-hour collection period. Last week’s collection was the 15th visit from the Bloodmobile, whose operators have drained 523 units of blood from the coronary systems of the Douglas community since October 2010.
“The collection target for the Bloodmobile is 36 units of blood. Of course, we always want to try to over collect and on a good day we can collect up to 40 units,” explained Stephanie Scott, Bloodmobile partnership specialist for the Canadian Blood Services.
By 1 p.m., the registration was no longer booking appointments and instead handed out reminder cards for the red semi-truck’s next visit in the summer semester. The second visit of the summer semester will take place in late July.
“The Bloodmobile is on site at Douglas College every 56 days. The next clinic will be returning on May 30, ” said Scott. “You can also book an appointment online at www.blood.ca or by calling 1-888-236-6283. We encourage donors to book their appointments in advance to guarantee their preferred appointment time.”
Scott explained how successful Douglas blood collections have been in the last two-and-a-half years and helped relate the 523 units of donated blood to direct applications in healthcare.
“Blood is so vital and most people don’t realize how much blood is required to save a life,” said Scott. “Fifty units of blood are needed to help someone in a car accident. Eight units a week are used to help someone with leukemia. Someone with internal bleeding may use two to eight units. One donation equals one unit of blood. It is one of the most altruistic things you can do and you can help save a life along the way.”
The Bloodmobile is always blood donors from across the Metro Vancouver area, and will stop by local businesses and schools with at least 300 sleeves to drain and parking to accommodate the sizeable semi-truck. Those interested in a visit from the Bloodmobile are encourage to email Scott at stephanie.scott@blood.ca
