TORONTO — Marc Parravano has donated blood 146 times. He remembers regularly going to the blood collection centre with his mother when he was a kid and followed in her footsteps after he turned 17 and...

(Kingston, Ontario) As the year winds to a close, Canadian Blood Services is calling on people across Canada, including here in Kingston, to book appointments to donate blood or plasma.

(Kingston, Ontario) As the year winds to a close, Canadian Blood Services is calling on people across Canada, including here in Kingston, to book appointments to donate blood or plasma.

Квейкери допомогли врятувати 13 життів. Quakers helped to save 13 lives.

The nation is facing a blood crisis with low supply and high demand in the summer time.

Canadian Blood Services has experienced a nearly 20% decline in blood supply since June, prompting an urgent appeal for donations. The organization, which operates the blood supply system in all provinces except Quebec, warns that several blood types are now in limited supply. Director Ryan Adams emphasized the need for donors of all blood types to replenish inventory, particularly ahead of the August long weekend when trauma cases and urgent care needs may increase. Seasonal declines in donations are typical during summer, but current booking levels have fallen significantly below expected patterns. The organization requires approximately 18,000 weekly donations to meet hospital demand, yet appointments have fallen short by 1,500 to 2,500 each week. This shortfall forces reliance on existing inventory, which has a 42-day shelf life. First-time donors like Marie-Pierre Deschaines and Angel Kerr highlight the importance of donations for patients facing emergencies, cancers, and accidents. Hema-Quebec also reports a decline in donations, noting that many regular donors are on vacation or forget to book appointments. Canadian Blood Services is expanding donation opportunities, including weekend appointments and plasma-specific centers, while urging people to book appointments online or via phone.

A Montreal-area family is using their daughter Chiara's battle with cancer to raise awareness about the critical need for blood donations. Chiara, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2024, underwent multiple treatments including chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant, and CAR-T cell therapy after her cancer returned in 2025. Her mother Christine Clogg described the diagnosis as a 'punch in the gut' that disrupted their lives. Throughout her treatment, Chiara received over 20 blood and platelet transfusions to manage her condition. Now, after months in the hospital, Chiara is back to her daily routine, joining a swim team and preparing for kindergarten. Her father Ryan Langton, a firefighter, organized a blood drive at their local fire station to honor Chiara's journey. He emphasized that blood donations save lives, noting that Chiara's transfusions helped countless children at Montreal Children's Hospital and Ste. Justine's. The family hopes their story will encourage others to become blood donors, highlighting that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on patients fighting serious illnesses.

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