This would be the clinic’s last time in Miscouche.
“I went in and registered like normal, but I didn’t book an appointment for the next time like I usually do. But I just figured I’d do it when I was finished donating.”
Gallant has been a regular blood donor since 2014, donating her O+ blood.
“I sat down and noticed people were saying things like, oh it’s a shame or it’s too bad, but I didn’t really know what they were talking about.”
Finally Gallant learned the mobile clinic was not going to return.
“I asked the nurse who was checking my vitals before I could donate and they even got the clinic manager to explain what was going on. There would be more focus on Charlottetown’s permanent clinic and that the mobile site wouldn’t be coming back.”
With her fears confirmed, Gallant was disappointed that donating blood would become a difficult process.
“It makes no sense to me. It’s sad and I was immediately frustrated when I found out. I look forward to donating, and not having a clinic in the area means I probably won’t get up to Charlottetown and it will stop me from donating.
This would be the clinic’s last time in Miscouche.
“I went in and registered like normal, but I didn’t book an appointment for the next time like I usually do. But I just figured I’d do it when I was finished donating.”
Gallant has been a regular blood donor since 2014, donating her O+ blood.
“I sat down and noticed people were saying things like, oh it’s a shame or it’s too bad, but I didn’t really know what they were talking about.”
Finally Gallant learned the mobile clinic was not going to return.
“I asked the nurse who was checking my vitals before I could donate and they even got the clinic manager to explain what was going on. There would be more focus on Charlottetown’s permanent clinic and that the mobile site wouldn’t be coming back.”
With her fears confirmed, Gallant was disappointed that donating blood would become a difficult process.
“It makes no sense to me. It’s sad and I was immediately frustrated when I found out. I look forward to donating, and not having a clinic in the area means I probably won’t get up to Charlottetown and it will stop me from donating.
Gallant is concerned the change in location will mean those in need of a blood transfusion will ultimately go without.
“I just think it will turn people off. What would have been a two-hour event for someone up west might turn into a five-hour event now. It’s important to give, but it needs to be accessible.”
However Michelle Rogerson is hopeful that people who were regulars at the Miscouche clinic will continue to donate via Charlottetown.
Rogerson is the Canadian Blood Services director for supply chain operations in Atlantic Canada.
“Every year we look at our clinic plans to see where we are collecting blood and then look at the options. We evaluate our clinics, usually annually, and make changes as needed in order to collect blood as efficiently as we can.
“We take the location, number of units collected, the costs of labour and transit costs those kinds of things into consideration when we decide,” said Rogerson.
In Miscouche’s case, clinic staff travels from Dartmouth, N.S.
“We’re hopeful that our Miscouche donors will have the opportunity to go to Charlottetown and continue to donate blood.”
The Charlottetown location is open from Tuesdays to Fridays.
“We are trying to focus more on our permanent site collections on P.E.I. So, the Charlottetown clinic will be the only place to donate blood on the Island.
“The loss of the mobile clinic will not change the permanent clinic’s hours, but we have opportunity to accommodate any donors from anywhere in P.E.I.”
The clinic operates on an appointment-based process, but donors are welcome to walk in during open hours to donate.