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BY CHRIS TRABER Staff Writer It’s in you to give, we’re cleverly reminded by Canadian Blood Services. Still, demand outstrips sup- ply, central Ontario spokesper- son Tami Clark said. “We’re down 40 per cent on inventory and hospital demand is 3.3 per cent higher,” §he said. “We try and have a four to sixâ€"day Mood) supply. Right now, we’re below the four-day optimum level.” worrisome. The central Ontario division, which includes York Region, supplies 56 hospitals. A New donors aren't being recruited at a rate to meet demand, no-shows and cancel- lations are up and the demo- graphic comprising regular donors is dwindling. Indifference isn’t as big an issue as is resistance, Ms Clark said. “I don't think it’s apathy," she said. Still, there are several factors that are keeping people from donating the of life,” she admits, adding the organiza- tion will ramp up its efforts to engage younger people to donate blood. “We have a dedicated donor base that’s not being replaced. People do think the other per- son will do it. One in two peo- ple are eligible to give. but only one in 60 gave last year.” New, sdueamish donors may hold off because of the procedure: “It's a phobia for some," Ms Clark said. “It's a two-second pinch and the arm is covered. You don’t have to look. No one really likes the needle, but sometimes we have to step out of our comfort mne." The 2007-08 fiscal year held both challenges and rewards for Canadian Blood Services, according to the organimtion’s situation is national and BLOOD: If it’s in us, why won’t we give? fl recent annual report to Canadi- ans, entitled Transforming the Blood System. “Chénge is never easy, but for Canadian Blood Services, it has been rewarding," states the report. _ “This year, we faced a num- ber of challenges while also delivering on a number of straâ€" tegic directives? The service has always been ready to roll up its sleeves as a means to encourage the public to do the same. Savvy market- ers of its important message, its campaign includes traditional and new tactics. “During times of urgent need, we offer extended hours at clinics and more mobile clin- ics,” she said. Younger donors, 17 and up, are being courted. “They're very important," Ms Clark said. “We have high school clinics and we talk to students." A Partners for Life program encourages people to make a habit of donating together. The service also promotes organiza- tions to donate as a group. The number of clinics are also on the rise. The service is also looking to humanize the act of donating blood. “It’s a very personal dona- tion," she said. “But it's a faceless donation if you don’t know where it’s going." Accordingly, the marketing of late has been branding the real-life benefits and beneficiaâ€" ries of your vital fluid. A website, www.mankyour- donor.ca, makes that possible. “It lets you see where your blood went and how it was used,” she said. “It shows that when you donate. you really are saving a life." Where the service draws the line is blood money. “I lospitals don't pay for blood." Ms Clark said. “No one in Canada does. We polled our donors in the past. In the United States, some private clinics will pay donors for the plasma component, not whole blood. “They said the value is in giving of yourself. They didn’t want a reward or money attached.” Blood and blood compo- nents are used to treat a numâ€" ber of injuries and illnesses, including various forms of can- cer, hip and joint surgery, trans- plants, trauma patients, such as car accident victims, patients with blood disorders and many others. One trauma patient may need 50 units of blood. After a donor has given blood, the whole blood donaâ€" tion is divided into three main components, red blood cells, plasma and platelets. The indi- vidual components are used to treat many different medical conditions. For example, platelets are used extensively in the treat- ment of certain cancers. This is why one donation has the potential to save three lives. Canadian Blood Services is a national, non-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. The organization, with an annual operating budget of $900 million, also oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Mar- row Network. and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and trans plantation. More than 4,000 staff and 17,000 volunteers operate 41 permanent collection sites and more than 19,000 donor clinics annually. The provincial and territo~ rial ministries of health provide operational funding. The federal government. through Health Canada. is responsible for regulating the blood system. STAFF PHOTO/SJOERD WITTEVEEN I You need ID with full name and signature, or full name and photograph. v Be between 17 and 71 v Weigh at least 50 kg (110 lb) > Be in general good health and feeling well.You should have had something to eat and adequate sleep. You must also meet hemoglobin (iron) requirements (test done at clinic). > At the time of donation, you will be asked a number of questions to determine your eligibility. For example, if you have had dental treatment, extractions, fillings, cleaning, restoration, root canal or dental surgery you need to wait 72 hours provided there is full recovery. The same applies if you have a cold,flu or sore throat or had ear or body piercing or tattooing. WHERE TO GIVE > Nov. 14 - Latcham Hall in Stouffville from 1 :30 to 7:30 pm. To make an appointment. call 1-888-2- DONATE. Clinic assistant Zoya Slavkovic holds up first donations of the day at the Canada Blood Services Clinic at Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill Tuesday as donors relax on lounge chairs. b For information and to find local clinics, visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283. b To see how people's lives have been saved and changed, visit www.thankyourdonor.ca HERE’S HOW TO DONATE: ANNUAL SNOWBOARD SWAP SALE 72 Copper CreéITDr. - Markham (Hwy 407 9th Line) Lunch and Dinner Tel: 905.201.9700 PUBLIC AUCTION Used Boards, Boots Bindings may be dropped off Mon Nov. 10 â€" Fri Nov. 74 No equipment drop off Saturday morning LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GLOBAL ASSETS SOLUTIONS INC. HAVE BEEN INSTRUCT ED BY COMMUNITY TRUST COMPANY "THE MORTGAGEE” TO SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION UNDER POWER OF SALE. VIEWING: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16th, 2008 (1:00 PM to 4:00 PM) TERMS: SOLD SUBJECT TO MORTGAGEE'S APPROVAL 5% NORMAL BUYER’S PREMIUM IN EFFECT. SEE www.globalassetssolufions.com 1509 CONCESSION Rd #3 GOODWOOD, ONTARIO SUN, NOV. 23rd, 2008 @ 1PM Saturday, November 15’h 9 AM -5 PM 21 Ringwood Dr., Stouffville 905-640-6657 FOR DETAILS CALL HOSS TOLL FREE 877-776-6854 30+ ACRE PROPERTY Stoufiville Sun-Tribune I Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 POWER OF SALE