'Urgent' need for blood donations over holidays Canadian Blood Services says

While the malls are filled with people finishing up their holiday shopping, the crowds,in blood donation clinics in Hamilton,are growingthin.

Erica Hung, the territory manager for Hamilton and Burlington, told CBC News over 300 appointments need to be filled between this week Jan. 6 in Hamilton alone.

"Compared to last year, I would say that we are seeing again a decline in people booking for appointments, which is why we called out the urgent need for blood donations," Hung said.

Hung says GabeCrimeli, a six-year-old boy from Burlington, is one of the people counting on those donations for his life.

"He calls himself IronGabe, because he really likessuperheroes," said Hung, "And he calls leukemia hisvillain that he needs to beat."

Crimeli was diagnosed in February this year with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The blood drive campaign #IronGabe headed by the Crimelishad an initial goal of 100 donations, but has since exceeded it by 80. The new goal is 300.

In Burlington, the Canadian Blood Services weekly target is 252 appointments. However, Hung said the blood clinics are meeting less than half of that target on average.

The weekly target in Hamilton is 192 appointments.

Behaviour change a factor

The holidays usually mean more people getting sick, changing their routines due to vacations which makes them unable to donate as usual, according to Hung.

She said changes in people's behaviours in general also could be connected, such as getting tattoos, piercings and travelling to countries with risk for certain diseases that can lengthen the wait time before donations are allowed.

Across Ontario, Canadian Blood Services is looking for 19,000 appointments to be filled by Jan. 6.

While walk-ins are accepted, the organization uses the appointments to track how they are meeting need.

People who want to donate can check for their eligibility on the Canadian Blood Services Website. Hung emphasized they need all blood types and not just O negative.

Hung encouraged families and organizations to donate as a group and said it can be a great team-building activity.

In spring of this year, the #IronGabecampaign drew groups of donors, from organizations like the Hamilton Paramedic Service.

"It gives back to the community that they work and live in."