Blood Challenge 101

According to Blood.ca, it takes up to eight units of blood per week for someone who is going through Cancer Treatment, and up to 50 units of blood for someone that was in an auto accident, and up to 100 units for a liver transplant.

Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec are responsible for collecting blood and administering the blood supply in Canada. The two agencies supply hospitals with over 1.2 million units of blood a year. They strive to maintain a six-day supply of blood but periodically they fall below that.

On October 29, 2008, CBS issued an urgent appeal for donors, saying the blood supply had fallen to just a two-day supply and blood donations had dropped 40 per cent over the previous two months.

This year Canadian Blood Services needs 85,000 new donors to meet hospital demand and Fanshawe College is helping by taking part in Blood Challenge 101, between 13 colleges and universities across the country from January 12 to February 16. Students will be rolling up their sleeves and helping save a life.

The Canadian Blood Services' blood collection goal is over 2,300 units, The campus that comes closest to meeting or exceeding their goal will win bragging rights, along with the Blood 101 trophy, and anyone who donates blood on campus during the Blood Challenge is entered in a draw to win an iPod Touch.

So roll up those sleeves and give a little to save a lot. The next Fanshawe College donation will take place on February 2.

Join the Facebook group : Blood Challange 101: Fanshawe College