This may be the season of giving, but data shows that donating blood and plasma is not at the top of many Canadians' priorities at this time of year.

A new Ipsos survey showed that while 6 out of 10 eligible donors in Canada believe that donating blood or plasma is important, only 10% of Canadians plan to donate before December 31, despite the urgent need for the national stock of many blood types.

Earlier this year, the smallest donor base in a decade was reported due to a decrease of 31,000 regular donors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of efforts to increase donations, discussions took place between Canadian Blood Services and the government in August 2022 to address how to more than double over 50 percent of local plasma supplies, with paid donations considered one potential solution.

With the holidays approaching, the need for donations becomes more urgent as more than 25,000 open appointments across Canada must be filled by New Year's Eve, and with factors such as weather and illnesses causing cancellations, winter proves to be particularly challenging—it is time to bring in donations.

Cancer patients, accident victims, and people suffering from rare, life-threatening, chronic, and hereditary conditions also rely on blood, platelets, and plasma donations every day—platelets are a vital component of blood used to treat cancer patients.

While O-negative blood can be transfused to any patient, demand increases for these donors, especially in emergencies for newborn patients.

Also, while five plasma donation centers have been opened by Canadian Blood Services in recent years, and six more centers are scheduled to open in 2024 in an effort to draw 25 percent of its supplies from Canadians, the agency urges Canadians to book appointments now if they can.