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Canadian Blood Services comes to Shelburne




Regular people can donate blood every second month which works out to only six times a year. Would it have been possible to guess how many times the Mayor of Shelburne, Ed Crewson has donated blood in his lifetime? Try a whopping and admirable 78 times!

To bring somewhat alarming perspective to the serious need for more donors, according to Elaine St. Pierre, Canadian Blood Services Territory Manager of Simcoe–Grey and Bruce County, one car accident victim can use 59 units of blood. On June 18th, 59 Shelburnites met the Canadian Blood Services' hoped for quota of 59 pints of donated blood during a blood drive held at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.

Congratulations are in order. Shelburne can pat itself on the back as having saved one car accident victim's life, and Mayor Crewson has in theory done that by himself!

In a telephone interview, St. Pierre mentioned how supply is down for summer months and more donors are needed. “Some first time donors discover the need to donate after watching a loved one receive a transfusion and the reality of what would happen if the blood wasn't there is a frightening thought, so they give back by donating,” St. Pierre continues revealing some startling facts, “Summer is a very busy time with car accidents, fewer people making it out to donate because of vacations and supply is going down while the need is always there. It's a fact that half of all Canadians have needed blood or will need blood in their lifetime.”

St. Pierre pointed out just how much blood is needed for a variety of situations, “For example, a hip replacement surgery can use two units, Aplastic Anemia four units per month, Cancer Treatment five units, Cardiovascular Surgery five units, Internal bleeding two to eight units, and Leukemia patients can use eight units of blood per week. We will need 80,000 and new donors this year alone just to keep up with hospital demand and as advanced as society is, we haven't yet come up with a substitute for blood.”

Donating blood is easy to do and with the efficiently set up donor clinics, this safe procedure is professionally conducted. Requirements for blood donation involve age, weight, identification, frequency of donation, health and screening which is all carefully examined by nurses upon arrival. Stipulations involve, not being able to donate if you have recently had a body piercing or a tattoo, (have to wait to donate for six months) a cold or flu, (wait until fully recovered), and if you have recently had a dental treatment, extractions, cleaning, fillings, restorations (you must wait for 72 hours provided there is full recovery).

St. Pierre has a personal message for Shelburne residents, “Personally, I want to commend the residents of Shelburne and area for always supporting our Clinics. There is such a strong sense of community here that everyone should be proud of and we appreciate how the community rallies together to share their vitality and save lives time and time again. Special thanks to Mayor Ed Crewson for his help and support and the Shelburne Rotary Club who handle the recovery table. ”

Because donations are the lowest they have been in the last five years, Canadian Blood services began the Blood Signal on radio stations reminding people to take the time to donate. Thinking outside of the box, Canadian Blood Services have also created Blood Donation Challenges as in Sirens For Life in July and August where all emergency service providers, police, ambulance, and fire fighters, those who see first- hand the importance of donating can also donate blood.

Those interested in donating can contact Canadian Blood Services at 1888 2 DONATE, visit www.blood.ca. The Canadian Blood Services' next visit to Shelburne will be August 20th, 2014 from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Put it on the calendar Shelburne, let's see if we can get a personal best!

By Alex Sher

Local Realtor Bob McInnes, Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson, and Jim Worobec wait to donate to Canadian Blood Services Blood Drive held at the DCRC on June 18th. “It only takes twenty minutes and I highly recommend it. It's giving back, it's useful and very needed,” commented Worobec.

Local Realtor Bob McInnes, Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson, and Jim Worobec wait to donate to Canadian Blood Services Blood Drive held at the DCRC on June 18th. “It only takes twenty minutes and I highly recommend it. It's giving back, it's useful and very needed,” commented Worobec.



Shelburne Rotary Club volunteers were on hand helping at the Recovery Table during Canadian Blood Services most recent Blood Drive, just as they have done for years. The next drive will be August 20th at the CDRC from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. (L to R) Jennifer Vandeyssel, Rotary Club of Shelburne past president, Real Gagnon, Benjamin Vandeyssel, and Rotarian volunteer, Joan Wallace. Note: Community Service hours can be worked off with Rotarians!

Shelburne Rotary Club volunteers were on hand helping at the Recovery Table during Canadian Blood Services most recent Blood Drive, just as they have done for years. The next drive will be August 20th at the CDRC from 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. (L to R) Jennifer Vandeyssel, Rotary Club of Shelburne past president, Real Gagnon, Benjamin Vandeyssel, and Rotarian volunteer, Joan Wallace. Note: Community Service hours can be worked off with Rotarians!
Post date: 2014-07-02 14:02:50
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