Canadian Blood Services is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment before May 29.
The agency boosts its blood supply every spring to prepare for the summer ahead. With vacations planned, routines are disrupted, and donations fall.
This year, it says stormy winter weather and a wet spring left their inventory even lower than normal. There is enough blood to meet the needs of patients right now, but supplies are expected to drop soon.
In Windsor, there are 475 appointments to fill before the end of the month. The clinic is closed on Mondays but is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 3pm to 7pm, Thursdays from 11:30am to 7:30pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 8am to noon.
Director of Donor Relations in Ontario, Michael Betel says "for patients, the demand for blood never takes a holiday. We need 16,000 blood donations every week to stock our shelves and continue to help patients through the summer."
While Canadian Blood Services says there is a greater need for Type O blood, all donors are encouraged to give.
