K-W Canadian Blood Services asks regional residents to donate as ‘inventory reaches levels of concern’

There is an urgent appeal for the gift of life. Canadian Blood Services says it needs more donations in Waterloo region because their blood inventory has dropped to a concerning level.

There is an urgent appeal for the gift of life. Canadian Blood Services says it needs more donations in Waterloo region because their blood inventory has dropped to a concerning level.

Saturday was Teresa Palmer’s 95th time donating blood.

"I think it's fantastic! It means a lot to give to someone who needs it,” she said. “There's always a need for blood and they can never stress that enough."

She says her husband was one of the main motivators to roll up her sleeve and donate after he marked his 80th blood donation and now Palmer has surpassed that.

"I think it was more of a challenge because now I've surpassed him. I was always trying to get up close to what he donated but I think those can do when they can and it's just a matter of keeping the word out there that it's needed whenever they can donate."

Palmer, along with other donors, gave blood at Canadian Blood Services in Waterloo this weekend at a time when inventory had reached what the agency calls concerning levels. Many blood types are needed, especially O-Negative, O-Positive, B-Negative, A-Negative and A-Positive.

"So, nationally we like to have five to eight days of blood on hand and right now, in most blood types, we're seeing two to three days. So definitely concerning," said Gina Leyva, associate director of donor relations.