Two blood donor clinics moved as strike drags on
Two blood donation clinics scheduled to take place at city-run buildings this week have been relocated due to the ongoing labour disruption.
A blood donor clinic scheduled for Herbert Carnegie Centennial Centre in North York on July 23 has been moved to York University’s Ross Building (4700 Keele St.) and will take place from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the East Bear Pit.
A clinic scheduled for the same day at Scarborough Civic Centre will now take place at Scarborough Hospital (3050 Lawrence Ave. East) from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Officials for Canadian Blood Services said the moves were simply a result of building closures, not access delays by picketers.
“We’ve had no issue with strikers whatsoever, but a lot of the community centres that we book are impacted by the strike so that’s why we’re changing locations,” said Carol Noel Ball, spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services.
She noted they are monitoring the location situation on a week-to-week basis.
Otherwise it’s business as usual for the organization, which steps up the frequency of blood collection clinics throughout the summer months.
During this time, there tends to be a higher need for blood supply, due to trauma-related accidents occurring on roads, Noel Ball said. They’re also faced with shortage of donors as many people are away on vacation.
“We do have a lot of reminders that are ongoing on the radio and so on,” Noel Ball said.
Spokesperson Cindy Graham said Canadian Blood Services is always proactive about the potential for disruptions at their community clinics.
“Whenever there is a possibility, we will be speaking to unions to ensure that nothing prevents us from collecting blood to meet our patients’ needs,” she said.
In meantime, the organization encourages donors to donate either at community clinics or at permanent blood donation clinics located across the city.
To find a drop-in clinic or book an appointment in your area call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit www.blood.ca.
