Donating blood is an exceptionally valuable act of kindness that can save many lives. Donated blood helps patients who need transplants, those undergoing cancer treatment, or requiring complex surgeries. One unit of blood can save several lives. What’s more, the donation process can even improve the donor’s own health. In Edmonton, there are a few centers where you can donate blood. Below, we’ll explore the most convenient and accessible donation sites in the city, along with some useful information on how the donor process works. More at iedmonton.net.
Canadian Blood Service
Canadian Blood Service is an independent charitable organization founded in Canada in 1998. It receives most of its funding from the governments of almost all Canadian provinces. The group is regulated by Health Canada as a producer of biologics, supplying blood components for transfusion, as well as stem cells for transplants, plasma, and even organs and tissues.
Its chief mission is to serve every patient, meeting all needs and providing service to every Canadian who requires it. The organization’s core values include integrity, collaboration, adaptability, respect, and excellence. They embrace continual change and challenges, treat all donors equitably, and always strive to raise operational standards.
You can find Canadian Blood Service centers in many Canadian cities, including Edmonton. Before donating, it’s important to take a few steps: ensure you’re drinking enough water, following a healthy diet, and getting good sleep. Shortly before your appointment, eat something salty and consume about 500 ml of water. Make sure to bring valid ID. You can also complete an online questionnaire on their website to confirm your eligibility.
“Canadian Blood Service” is the main center for blood donation in the city. Occasionally, it organizes mobile donor drives in different parts of Edmonton. For details on such events, check their official site.
Sirens for Life Event
The “Canadian Blood Service” also holds an annual initiative called Sirens for Life, aimed at encouraging emergency services personnel to donate blood. In Edmonton, it gathers people from the police, fire, and ambulance services, who compete to recruit the highest number of donors.
According to the “Canadian Blood Service,” only 2% of people become donors, which is far too few. “Sirens for Life,” held every January, seeks to increase that figure. Not only does it spark a friendly rivalry among the city’s emergency responders; it also plays a major role in saving lives.
Grifols
Grifols is a privately owned plasma donation center. Here, donors can receive compensation for their plasma donations (up to about $1,680 for new donors in their first three months). This means you can help patients with rare disorders, enhance your personal well-being, and earn decent money at the same time. Your plasma might also fuel discoveries in treatments and medical research. Donors who work with Grifols typically praise the center’s staff and welcoming atmosphere.
To give plasma at this center, you must be older than 17, refrain from tattoos or piercings for the past 6 months, not have donated blood in the last 56 days, bring valid ID, and reside within a 100 km radius of Grifols. Before donating, every donor goes through a health screening process.