by Adam Gault
The Canadian Blood Services will host a blood clinic at the Essex Masonic Lodge this coming Tuesday, August 11, and will feature additional safety measures designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 for donors and staff.
At the onset of the pandemic, the Canadian Blood Services noted that donations dropped around 20 percent over fears of COVID-19, but over the last four months, the numbers have rebounded as people across the country step up with their altruism.
“We’re really delighted to be coming back to the community of Essex,” Marisa Gatfield said, who is the Territory Manager for Canadian Blood Services for Windsor-Essex, adding that only pre-booked appointments are available at this time, with walk-ins not being permitted. “We highly encourage those in the community to book that appointment, and we look forward to a successful blood donation event.”
In addition to appointment only bookings, some additional safety measures will include temperature checks, mandatory masks for donors and staff, increased cleaning of equipment and surfaces, and donors being seated a minimum of two-metres apart.
“If someone doesn’t have a mask, we will more than gladly provide them a mask to wear throughout the donation process,” Gatfield explained. “Donors will see that in addition to our routine cleaning and infection control practices, we’ve enhanced our cleaning measures, cleaning all equipment and surfaces very frequently.”
The Canadian Blood Services has been overwhelmed by the number of donors throughout Windsor-Essex since the onset of the pandemic, noting that even when many places are shuttered and closed, there is always a demand for donors, both long-term and new.
“We’re very grateful for the generosity of donors during this time, the need for blood doesn’t stop,” Gatfield said, adding donated blood is only viable for 42 days. “Patients in Canada continue to need blood for cancer treatments and emergency surgeries. This is why the need is constant.”
The Canadian Blood Services Essex clinic will run Tuesday, August 11 from 12 pm – 7 pm at the Essex Masonic Lodge, 30 Laird Avenue.
Appointments can be booked online at blood.ca, or by calling 1-888-236-6283.