Roll up your sleeves

The need for blood is as constant as the need for patients care: 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

For many patients, a blood transfusion means a second chance at life and more time with friends and loved ones. That second chance depends on the generosity of blood donors.

You can be one of them.

“The greatest impact on blood inventory is donor participation,” says Dale Weiss, manager of EMS Metro Operations in the Edmonton area.

“Blood is used every day to treat trauma patients such as motor vehicle collision victims, patients with bleeding disorders, individuals undergoing surgery, transplant recipients, cancer patients, individuals with severe burns and many others. While the need for blood remains strong, our attention to the need can waver.”

To encourage blood donation, EMS partners with Canadian Blood Services every January for the Sirens for Life Blood Donor Challenge. The yearly challenge pits police, fire and EMS teams from Edmonton and Calgary against one another to bring in the most blood donations. The challenge runs until Jan. 31.

“We encourage all Albertans to give blood on behalf of this great cause,” says Weiss.

“Eligible donors can give blood every 56 days or about six times a year. When you consider each donation helps three patients in need, one individual can help save 18 lives in one year.

“As everyone gets back into a routine from the holiday season, it’s a great time to draw attention to the need for blood and remind donors to start the New Year by saving lives.”

Call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) today to book your donation appointment. You can also find clinic information at www.blood.ca.