Blood drive a success

By Torcia Velthuizen

Have you ever thought of giving the gift of life?

Canadian Blood Services hosted a blood drive at St. Clair College on Feb. 15 and had a goal of at least 100 donations from students.

Chelsea Derenoski, a student at St. Clair College, donated for the first time at the event.

“I decided to donate blood because I wanted to save a life. I actually learned today I saved three,” said Derenoski. “If I were in that position I would want donations. So I thought I would do my part and put my donation out there.”

Marisa Gatfield, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services, said they met their goal.

“We had 106 students attend the blood drive at St. Clair College. We collected 102 per cent of our collection objective,” said Gatfield.

Derenoski was not the only first time donor. Gatfield said there were 34 first time donors out of the students who attended, including Derenoski.  

According to Canadian Blood Services, in 2017 about 100,000 new blood donors were needed to replace the aging donors and maintain the current blood supply.

Blood Services also called for Type O- blood as it is used for patients with compromised immune systems and trauma victims.

“When seconds count, someone’s life is on the line, and there’s no time to check blood type, hospital patients in an emergency situation can all receive O- blood,” said Canadian Blood Services in a press release prior to the event.

Blood Services will return to St.Clair College on March 29. Canadian Blood Services has set a goal of 77 units of blood.

For more information on how to donate, visit www.blood.ca