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Canadian Blood Services seeks more donors after implementing new policy

Canadian Blood Services needs 100,000 additional donors this year. A new policy promoting donor welfare will take effect December 10, meaning that women will need to wait 12 weeks between blood donations.

“Many donors will not be able to donate as often, so others must step forward to fill this gap by giving blood and encouraging friends and family to make giving a part of their lives,” says vice-president of donor relations Mark Donnison.

Donated blood is necessary for surgeries, cancer treatments and accidents. For Hunter Kuzik, age 11, the need will never stop. Diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia, he needs a blood transfusion every three weeks.

“I have to have faith that people will continue to donate blood and that there will always be blood available for him when he needs it,” says Carrie Kuzik, Hunter’s mother.

A Canadian Blood Services donor clinic is slated for today — Monday, October 31 — in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

—Loren Mastracci