Canadian Blood Services aiming for 5,300 donations in Edmonton as organization seeks to grow supply

A Stars Air Ambulance flight attendant donates blood in Edmonton on Jan. 7, 2025. (Darcy Seaton / CTV News Edmonton)

Those who are first at a traumatic scene are also first in line to help Canadian Blood Services (CBS) reach its goal of building a long-term sustainable donor base.

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The organization says it needs to add 450 donors every day – just about double what it currently counts – to meet the growing need for blood and plasma across the country.

To raise awareness of the initiative, it launched on Tuesday the "450 Challenge" with the help of front-line workers.

"They see the need for blood, so it's really important for us to have them here supporting us," CBS spokesperson Charlene Hargreaves told CTV News Edmonton.

CBS is aiming to count 12,000 donations by the end of January. To do its part, Edmonton needs to count 5,300 donations.

"It doesn't take more than an hour to donate blood, and you're only in the chair for about five to 10 minutes. So the whole process is really easy. We make it smooth for you. We have great staff here who will walk you through the whole process," Hargreaves promised anyone who is nervous about donating.

"But at the end of the day, if you're just not ready to come and give blood, we also have other ways that you can help."

Canadian Blood Services also collects stem cell registrations and financial donations. Donation appointments can be made online.