Paying it forward: Why we need YOU to give blood

 “Every time I donate blood I wonder where the unit goes. Units of red blood cells get released to a hospital about 7 to 14 days after collection, and typically get transfused within days of arriving at the hospital. There needs to be sufficient stocks to handle emergencies and the natural ups and downs of transfusion needs across the country.”

Dr. Jeannie Callum is the Staff Hematologist and Director of Transfusion Medicine and Tissue Banks at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, as well as an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology at the University of Toronto. 

In this moving article, Dr. Callum shares her real-life experience witnessing the impact of blood donation on patient lives. She provides some fascinating insight into blood transfusion, past and present, and emphasizes the need for more male donors, explaining why some donors may be safer than others for patients. This article is also being published in six parts on RED, Canadian Blood Services’ Research, Education and Discovery blog.