A 20 per cent decline in blood supplies has led the Canadian Blood Service to remind people of the importance of giving blood.

Each week the Canadian Blood Service needs about 18,000 appointments booked across the country. The past six weeks have fallen short of that by 1,500 to 2,500 every week. A seasonal decline isn’t unusual, but this year has fallen well below a normal summer decline.

Aaron Barlow, Saskatchewan Community Development Manager with the Canadian Blood Services, said one in two Canadians will need blood in their lifetime.

“There’s a number of different scenarios, everything from traumatic accidents right down to routine surgeries, that can use blood and blood products.”

Barlow added that the current level of blood in their supply isn’t sustainable, especially if the current decline in donor appointments continues. He said that the decline can lead to impacts in patient care if things don’t change.

Empty appointment slots and cancelled or missed appointments also have a negative impact on blood supplies. It’s encouraged that appointments are cancelled in advance to give others the opportunity to donate instead. More appointments have also been added to weekends at some donor centres and at certain plasma donation centres to encourage more people to give blood.

Appointments can be booked and eligibility can be checked on the GiveBlood app, on their website at blood.ca, or over the phone by calling 1-888-2-DONATE.