Final Canadian Blood Services donor clinic of the year a huge success in Whitecourt

 

On Wednesday, November 21 at the Seniors Circle the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) was in town for its third and final blood donor clinic of the year. With the ability to register online and pre-book appointments, there was a solid number set to come in. Nicole Russell is the Territory Manager with CBS and said Whitecourt always provides over and above.

With a goal of collecting 115 blood donations, Russell said they ended up receiving 126. “On average we’re collecting 109.4 per cent in Whitecourt. It’s awesome. People are educated here in terms their ability to donate so we have maybe less deferrals which means more people can get in and more appointments go through. We have a great turnout here. We can always count on Whitecourt. Always.”

There are, of course, reasons why some individuals may not be able to donate but the Canadian Blood Services website, www.blood.ca, is set up with an eligibility quiz to make the process easy. Each donor is incredibly valuable. “It takes up to eight donors a week to help someone with leukemia or up to five donors to help someone undergoing cancer treatments, two donors for a hip replacement, and up to 50 donors to help someone in a car crash, so depending on what someone needs the blood for this could have helped a really large number of people,” she explained.

Angie Arcand was one of those in the chair during the Whitecourt clinic and knows just how important it is to donate. Not only in general but also because she has Type O blood which means she can help so many more people in need. “If you have a chance to save a life and it’s this easy, then why not do it? It’s very easy especially if you are Type O because you can literally help anyone. It’s so important and you honestly feel so good after doing it.”

Whitecourt Councillor Derek Schlosser was seated beside Arcand and both agreed on the importance of being there to support fellow Canadians. “Blood is in you to give and we all know a person who has benefitted from a blood transfusion so it’s just really important for able-bodied people to do it. I’ve been donating for over 20 years and I probably come every time they are in town. Sometimes I miss because of scheduling but I try my best to come every time because it’s so important,” he said.

One of those people who benefitted from the generosity of others was the husband of one of the volunteers. Sue Peterson is a Rotarian with the Whitecourt Rotary Club and along with many other volunteers was helping the event run smoothly. “My husband was in an accident a few years ago and if it wasn’t for people who had donated, his situation probably wouldn’t have been a good one. There are so many people in need and I just think it’s something completely selfless that you can do. You never know when the time might come that you might need the help and one donation can help so many different people.”

Rotary takes part in the blood donor clinics regularly and helps support them as much as possible. “Rotary is always about community so this reiterates that. We are here to make sure that no part of the community is left out and Rotary is a huge part of Whitecourt. It’s just what we’re all about, service above self, and this is the ultimate service because it’s giving part of yourself to help others,” said Peterson.

The next blood donor clinic in Whitecourt will be held in the early spring and Russell wants residents to know just how appreciative and thankful they are for the support. “They are so committed there, and we can always count on them. We love going there! Visit www.blood.ca for more information on donating.