Below is a message from Judy Kesanko:
Wednesday, March 25
I have been in contact with my Canadian Blood Services (CBS) liaison, Olga, for over two weeks, when we first realized the world would shut down. (Note: We have a regular clinic on Friday, April 17. That’s the one that is at the Heritage Pavilion in Stony Plain.)
At first the CBS did not know whether we would have that clinic, but of course, the need for blood never stops. Olga and I spoke again this morning and here’s what I learned.
The clinic is “on”. They need the supply badly. However, they have put in place, as you can imagine, VERY stringent rules about the event. Everybody, including volunteers, must first be screened to determine the health of each individual entering the clinic.
They do want us to attend as volunteers, but Olga stressed that someone like me (70+ years ☹) should not attend. What they really need is someone who will wear a mask and wipe down the donor pamphlets after each use. She said that if we have no one there, they will certainly understand because their focus is on the health of their staff and volunteers.
Olga also stressed that regulations and decisions are changing every day, sometimes faster than that, so she will contact me one week before the clinic to confirm its location. As well, she will keep me apprised of any changes that we need to know.
Here’s what I think should happen:
I will contact our product donors and tell them that we will NOT collect from them on April 17. If we have members attend, it will not be for food distribution.
If you are interested in volunteering for a shift, you can sign up directly on the club's website by clicking here. We need only one person for each shift, but we are asking you to consider signing up to be an alternate in case the first person can't attend. Alternates will only be required to come if the primary volunteer can't.
I will ask you, closer to the date if any of you wish to go to the clinic to help. You would let me know and I would let Olga know. (If no one attends, CBS is okay with that.)
Let me know tomorrow at the ZOOM meeting what you think.
Finally, Olga also asked me to ask all our “healthy” members to consider a blood donation. BY APPOINTMENT, you can donate downtown in Edmonton, at the CBS building clinic by the U of A hospital.