April is National Cancer Month and every year thousands of patients across the country need and blood products to help treat potentially life threatening cancers.
Patients undergoing cancer treatments are one of the largest blood recipient groups in Canada.
“We need 80,000 to 90,000 new blood donors this year to meet this demand,” said Marg Gow, the clinic recruitment co-ordinator for Mount Forest. “Giving blood is one of the most direct ways you can help patients undergoing cancer treatment.”
Canadian Blood Services forecasts 900,000 units of blood are needed in 2008, with hospital demand continuing to increase by 2% each year. Platelets, a component of whole blood, is used primarily in the treatment of cancer patients. Four to five blood donors are needed to make one unit of platelets. Cancer patients may need up to 10 platelet transfusions every week.
The clinic in Mount Forest will be held at the community centre on King Street East on April 1 from 2 to 8pm. No appointments are necessary.
For donor eligibility information, call 1-888-236-6283.
