by PAUL RAYNER

Due to a combination of factors, the mobile donor clinics are still successful in getting the much needed blood products to the various people who require them.

The most recent clinic in Boissevain, on February 19 at Boissevain School, had 70 donors attend, with 63 units collected. This was three units above their target, which according to Bruce Shavers of Canadian Blood Services in Brandon, was not unusual.

“We thought it was successful,” Shavers indicated, “The attendance in Boissevain is consistently good. Often we exceed our target there, and everyone is good at re-booking and keeping their appointments.”

Canadian Blood Services holds clinics in the community four times a year, a little more spread out than the 56 days needed for individuals between donations. Shavers said each visit collects for five hours – two in the afternoon and three in the evening – and they keep to their calendar of every three months.

Shavers said the entire mobile blood clinic concept in Western Manitoba has been a success since it was re-established about five years ago. He said when their permanent site was established in Brandon, they were able to divide their week so that Mondays and Tuesdays could be for rural visits outside of the Wheat City. Over the years, they have been able to extend the area they visit, as far away as Melita, Swan Lake, Portage and Dauphin.

“When we started five or six years ago, we were an hour out of Brandon. Now we are in the two-hour range. I think one of the ingredients is the size of the clinic, six beds is a good one.”

In Boissevain, Shavers gives much of the credit for the continuing success to the local factors. The school is a good place to set up, and he said the high school students challenge each other to give blood, which the afternoon hours are perfect for. The Boissevain Consumers Coop donated the refreshments, so important to donors after giving blood. The organizers, the Boissevain Kinsmen Club also deserves a lot of credit.

“The Kinsmen do a lot of legwork,” Shavers explained. “They provide volunteers. They are fantastic, a great group of people. They are very enthusiastic, they make people feel welcome and appreciated for giving blood, and make sure they are recognized for doing what they do.”

The donors of Boissevain and Western Manitoba are also obviously very important. Shavers said Canadian Blood Services try to reach a goal of 60,000 units per year. Presently, Western Manitoba provides about 15% of that total.

“That is highly significant when you look at the size of our population. We make a huge contribution to the whole province.”

The bulk of the blood products are used in Manitoba, although they can be sent to other provinces if required. About 100 medical facilities use them in the province. Blood is highly important, being used for direct transfusions, injuries, shock and cancer treatment. As Shavers said, because of the different parts of blood (platelets, red blood cells and plasma), one donation could help as many as three people.

A donor can be especially helpful if they book ahead. This helps Canadian Blood Services plan for their clinics. One way is to call 1-8882DONATE or visit the web site at www.blood.ca. The next Boissevain clinic is April 28. Due to the success of these clinics, there are definite plans to continue them.

“Oh yeah,” Shavers stated, “absolutely. We have a good number of sites in Western Manitoba. The challenge is there are not enough days in the calendar year.”