Canadian Blood Services urging people to donate as it faces collection challenges

TORONTO — Canadian Blood Services is calling on donors to book and keep appointments as it faces a decrease in collections.

The organization says it currently has only four days worth of O+ blood type supply and five days worth of O- and B- blood types, along with six days worth of A- blood type and seven days worth of A+ and B+ blood types.

Spokeswoman Delphine Denis says collections have been steadily decreasing since July 1.

She says ongoing illness and isolation requirements related to COVID-19, heat-related weather issues and the return of pre-pandemic activities and summer travel that have left many people with less time to donate are all factors contributing to the situation.