BLOOD SIGNAL - Interactive PDF (4.7MB)

Blood donors are important to cancer patients’ treatment

Two out of every five Canadians will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, according to the latest statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society. Last year, nearly 178,000 new patients were diagnosed with cancer.

While scientists continue to look for a cure, why not be part of the treatment? Give blood.

Radiation and chemotherapy are but two forms of cancer treatment that most Canadians have heard of. But red blood cell and platelet transfusions are also used frequently to help restore haemoglobin levels and clotting properties in blood destroyed by chemotherapy. In fact, it can take up to five units of blood a week to help someone with cancer.