New GiveBlood App makes saving lives even easier

bloodby Morinville News Staff

Morinville – Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has gone digital in its goal to make giving blood easier. The organization recently launched their new GiveBlood application, available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. The app lets would-be donors find, book and schedule a blood donation appointment in their calendar and to share that information with friends on social media. Additionally, the app tracks the number of donations the donor has made, and provides information on donor eligibility and other information. CBS sees the app as a first step to make it easier for donors to interact with the organization online.

“It takes many donors to save a life—as many as five donors to help just one person in cancer treatment,” said Mark Donnison, Vice-President of Donor Relations, in a May 16 release. “The GiveBlood App makes it faster and easier for donors to rally around patients, especially during Blood Signal. We’re embracing new technology to make it more convenient for donors to connect with us.”

CBS is hoping the app will remind people to donate blood on a regular basis, and the launch is an opportunity to remind Canadians that blood donations can decrease around long weekends because many regular donors are away or busy with family activities. Though the donors may be fewer, CBS says the demand for blood remains constant. The organization said there is a need for more first-time and current blood donors to give before and after Victoria Day. While there is a continuous need for all blood types, there is always a greater need for blood donors with O negative blood.

Local residents will have the opportunity to give blood this week. The next blood donor clinic is May 27 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Morinville Rendez-Vous Centre (9913 – 104 Street).

The GiveBlood App is available for free through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Residents can also book an appointment online at www.blood.ca or by calling 1-888-236-6283.

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