Canadian Blood Services returned to town last week on Monday and Tuesday to once again collect donations from the selfless citizens of Neepawa in the Yellowhead Center.
Karen Desjardins, the Satellite Clinic Coordinator, was happy to see the turnout. "We are capable of handling about 100 people per day, and so far we are set to reach our goal."
Previous years, the teams from Winnipeg and Brandon have come to collect donations in Neepawa, but as of this year Winnipeg has stopped sending a team around the province. This has allowed Brandon's team to double it's time in town from two visits a year to four. All donated blood and plasma, the yellow liquid component of blood in which blood cells are suspended, is shipped and stored in Winnipeg, where it is distributed to southwest Manitoba.
Donated blood only has a shelf life of 42 days per unit, so even though they collected 9045 units in July alone, Canadian Blood Services is always in need of more.
For those who have never donated blood before, the nurses try and make it a very positive, comfortable experience. A donator has their finger pricked to begin with for a quick blood-iron test, then after a quick questionnaire with a nurse in a private screening booth, they simply lay down in one of the comfortable chairs set up while a nurse attached the tube to the donator's arm. After a short wait, the blood is taken and free juice and desserts are offered to help replenish some of the lost energy.
"Whenever we come to Neepawa, or any other remote location, we always stay for two days," said Desjardins. "We usually get a good turn out over the two days, people come who already called to make an appointment, as well as walk-ins. We are grateful for all of them, and never turn anyone away for reasons other than health complications."
Desjardins hopes to bring her team back to Neepawa in another four months, likely near the start of December.