By Dave Branco

Travelling to save lives: Northerners urged to donate blood and show the heart of the north

Dec 22, 2025 | 2:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A Northern B.C. community group advocating for the return of blood donation services to the region is encouraging residents travelling over the holidays to donate blood or plasma if they are near a Canadian Blood Services donor centre and to share with staff what blood donation means back home in the North.

Our Blood Counts is calling on Canadian Blood Services to establish a regional plasma donor centre in Prince George, and says holiday travel presents an opportunity to demonstrate the North’s strong commitment to giving.

“Northerners are ready to help,” said Mark Karjaluoto of Our Blood Counts. “As we continue to make the case for bringing blood donation back to the North, we want Canadian Blood Services to see our dedication to giving, even when that means travelling long distances to donate.”

The need for blood and plasma continues throughout the holiday season. Patients rely on blood products every day for emergency care, trauma treatment, cancer therapies, surgeries, and many other medical needs. Hospitals require a steady supply, but donations often decline during December and early January.

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According to Karjaluaoto, Northern B.C. remains the only region in British Columbia without a permanent blood donation location. Our Blood Counts is asking Northerners who donate while travelling to speak directly with Canadian Blood Services staff, telling them where they are from and that they would donate more often if services were available closer to home. The group says these conversations can help demonstrate the strong donor potential that already exists in Northern B.C.

“For me, this is personal,” said Irina Doering, a committee member with Our Blood Counts. “I received life-saving blood transfusions during the birth of my third child. I’m here today because donors were there when I needed them. Northerners want to give back in the same way, and we need the opportunity to do that closer to home.”

Canadian Blood Services collects approximately 16,000 units of blood and 3,000 units of plasma each week to meet patient needs across Canada. More than half of Canadians will need blood or blood products for themselves or a family member at some point in their lives. Canada also relies on the United States for about 70 per cent of certain medications made from blood plasma.

Support for a plasma donor centre in Northern B.C. continues to grow. A petition at www.ourbloodcounts.com has gathered 2,500 signatures, with more than 92 per cent of signers saying they would likely donate locally. Eight municipalities, three regional districts, the North Central Local Government Association, and two MLAs have passed resolutions or provided letters of support.