When the coronavirus pandemic brought much of the country to a standstill, Canadian Blood Services quickly found itself losing out on valuable donations.
Many were worried that donating blood could put them at risk of contracting COVID-19 and opted out of planned appointments. But just a few weeks later, the organization is reporting that appointments are on the rise and cancellations are much fewer and farther between. “The inventory is strong right now,” said Peter MacDonald, the director of donor relations for Atlantic Canada. “We’ve had a generous response.” MacDonald attributes the recent return to business as usual on the donation side to calls from the chief public health officer and prime minister, dispelling rumours and helping to