A Saint John woman has reached a major blood donation milestone achieved by only six other Canadian women.
As of Monday, Joyce Crompton has donated blood 450 times. The retired nurse says she started donating blood many years ago.
“At one time I worked in the emergency department, and it would be nothing for a car accident to be called in and they’d be looking for blood, and where does this blood come from? It doesn’t come from a stone,” says Crompton. “Somebody has to give it.”
However, new guidelines for iron levels in the blood mean women can no longer donate as often as they once could. Canadian Blood Services says it is already feeling the impact on its blood supply.
“We’ve changed the hemoglobin threshold and the interval has moved from 56 to 84 days,” says Peter MacDonald of Canadian Blood Services. “It puts more pressure on our donor base and the need to add more donors.”
The next few weeks can be the most difficult time of the year for Canadian Blood Services, as demand for blood can rise unexpectedly and supply can be unpredictable. Snowstorms can result in cancellations at blood donor clinics, and can produce a spike in demand due to collisions.
“Certainly, it always seems the need does increase this time of year because of accidents that happen and it is the Christmas season and there seems to be more of a need,” says donor Danie Forret.
Much of that need has been filled by a small group of faithful blood donors who rarely miss an appointment.
“Are we going to find someone who takes on 450 donations? No, I think we need to find 10 people who are going to make 45 donations,” says MacDonald.
The organization is hoping more dedicated donors like Crompton will come forward as it grapples with the new guidelines.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
