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Blood donors needed after guidelines change

NANAIMO – Blood donor clinics are coming up in Nanaimo.

Canadian Blood Services is changing its guidelines to further promote health and wellness among blood donors.

Female donors will need to wait longer between blood donations and male donors will need to pass a slightly stricter hemoglobin test.

Starting Dec. 10, female donors will need to wait 12 weeks between blood donations, replacing the current eight-week waiting period. The minimum allowable hemoglobin level for male donors will increase starting March 5 from 125 g/L to 130 g/L.

“We continue to promote the health and wellness of donors as they donate the important and generous gift of life,” says David Patterson, director of donor relations in the B.C. and Yukon region. “Many donors will not be able to donate as often, so others must step forward to fill this gap by giving blood and encouraging friends and family to make giving a part of their lives.”

Upcoming clinics are scheduled for Nov. 15-17, noon to 7 p.m., at Nanaimo Ecumenical Centre, 6234 Spartan Rd., and Nov. 22-23, noon to 7 p.m., at Beban Park social centre.

To book an appointment, please visit blood.ca. Those with appointments are encouraged to bring a friend or family member to donate with them.