Canada's blood supply is down 20% since June. Here's how Islanders can help

Canada's blood supply is down 20% since June. Here's how Islanders can help

Only a small percentage of those eligible actually donate, says Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services says it needs donations after supply drops by nearly 20%

Canadian Blood Services says there is a "very urgent" need for donations across the country after its supply of all blood types dropped nearly 20 per cent since June 1.

Stephen Empringham, the organization's regional development manager, said this summer has seen fewer donations than past years — and he's asking Atlantic Canadians to help fill the gap.

"We've expanded hours in many of our centres … we've opened up for same-day appointments in many of our centres, changed our hours," Empringham told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin.

"There are walk-ins available at most centres, as well. So you can just go in."

Only about two per cent of eligible donors in Canada actually do so, he said, adding that donating blood means giving back to the community.

"You're supporting your neighbour. In some cases, it might be your family and in many cases you don't know the person that you're supporting," Empringham said.

"We really need that percentage to continue to increase…. We just, at the end of the day, need more people donating."

He said the donation process is quick and simple, and a donation made today will go into the blood supply within a day or two.

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Staff at donation centres will guide people through the registration process, and snacks and juice are provided. Donors will then be taken to an assessment room to go through their health background and determine their eligibility to donate.

Each donation helps three people, Empringham said.

"By the time you make it to the bed, it's really only a 15-minute process to actually have the needle in your arm…. It's a very easy and very painless process," he said.

"The workers at the donor centre, especially in Charlottetown ... [are] just such a great group, and that's consistent across all of our donor centres."

Information is available online at blood.ca and the GiveBlood app. You can also call 1-888-2-DONATE.

"It could be you, it could be one of your family," Empringham said. "We need our community to step up and really come in, book an appointment."

Lucas McInnis is a journalist at CBC Prince Edward Island. He can be reached at lucas.mcinnis@cbc.ca.

With files from CBC News: Compass