Canadian Blood Services is encouraging people to donate blood in light of many people cancel their appointments ahead of a busy summer season.

Canadian Blood Services says the need for blood is constant. People who are 17 years old or over are eligible to donate. Everyone who is eligible is encouraged to donate.

Statistics show that nearly half of Canadians believe donating blood or plasma is a uniquely Canadian act of generosity.

The business development manager of the Canadian Blood Services, Lisa Beechinor says, “Donating is about what you get when you give as well. That feeling of giving back to the community, being able to make an impact in this day and age where a lot of us are feeling a little hopeless about what’s going on in the world, it’s a great way to really give back and have that sense of community.”

Beechinor noted that donating blood only takes from 5 minutes to about 15 minutes.  She says they currently have 400 000 people who donate supporting 40 million Canadians and notes it’s really important to grow their donor base. There are around 450 open appointments still available in Saskatchewan between Wednesday and Saturday. Appointments can be booked online at blood.ca, through the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE.