Need for blood continues at Kelowna, Westbank clinics

More than 460 Kelowna residents came out to support local teenager Connor Fennessy over the past six weeks at a special “In Honour” blood drive held at the Canadian Blood Services blood donor clinic in Kelowna.

“It meant so much to our family that our fellow Kelowna residents came out to support Connor and Canadian Blood Services,” says Lori Fennessy, Connor’s mother.

“My son would not be where is he is today if not for the blood donated by generous Canadians, and for that we are truly grateful.”

The blood drive, which took place from June 14 to July 30, was held in tribute of Connor Fennessy, a 17-year-old Okanagan Mission high school student who was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma cancer in 2006 and is currently a patient at Kelowna General Hospital.

Connor has had more than 200 units of blood over the past two years, and received another blood transfusion during the evening of July 29 while at KGH.

“The support we received from the community throughout this blood drive was fantastic,” says Tammie Watson, community development coordinator for Kelowna and surrounding area blood donor clinics.

“However, Connor is just one of thousands of patients across the country in need of blood while undergoing chemotherapy treatments and surgical procedures.

“We need Kelowna residents to continue giving blood, and to re-book their next appointments this month, in order to help save or improve the lives of hospital patients across the country.”

Canadian Blood Services is in particular need of donors at two clinics this month—in Kelowna and Westbank.

Launched this past spring, a new Saturday clinic in Kelowna and a brand new clinic in Westbank are held every eight weeks and are in need of dedicated blood donors.

Summer is an especially challenging time of year to collect blood, since many donors change their routines, take vacations, travel, and are distracted with outdoor activities.

Across the province, Canadian Blood Services will need to collect 10,000 units of blood from now until Labour Day in order to meet hospital demand.

The next Saturday clinic in Kelowna, 103-1865 Dilworth Drive is Aug. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

The next clinic in Westbank, at Emmanuel Assembly Church, 2600 Hebert Rd., is Monday, Aug. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment to give blood at either of these locations this month.