Getting in the blood donor spirit
By Chris Simon

Alliston resident Trevor Tristram donated blood for the 161st time during a Photo by Chris Simon Canadian Blood Services clinic at the Innisfil Community Church last week.

There was another drop of blood in Trevor Tristram's bucket last week.

Since the age of 16, the Alliston resident has donated blood 161 times. He made his latest donation during a blood donor clinic at the Innisfil Community Church Thursday.

"You can talk about serious surgeries and heart and lung machines, and all that technology is fantastic, but if you don't have the raw material of blood, you've got nothing," he said. "Imagine what would happen is blood wasn't available. Where would medicine be?"

Tristram remembers when the most successful way of obtaining blood was through asking relatives of hospital patients for donations. However, he realized the importance of giving on a more frequent basis, especially as cancer rates increased and supplies dwindled.

"In 1952, an uncle of mine had to have an operation and they had to call members of the family to come and give blood," he said. "My family has a long history of service to others. My father was the chairman of the Scarborough Red Cross for several years, he also received their life service award. My mother was involved in the Canadian Cancer Society. Society works because we're a community, and part of being a community is serving others. This is just another way of doing it."

April is cancer month across Ontario. And with long weekends and warm summer weather approaching, the urgency for blood donations will continue to increase, said clinic supervisor Hillary Puro.

"Long weekends are starting to happen, which can put us in a difficult position, especially when (vehicle) accidents occur," she said. "It's quite busy for a small clinic.

"We aim for 65 units (of blood) at these clinics. It's difficult to get that otherwise. It's clinics like these that help; it's small but mighty."

Tristram agrees, noting donations are the only way hospitals can obtain blood for transfusions and cancer treatment.

"It's the only way the product's available," he said. "It's an absolutely essential product, and there's no other source of supply. It's a unique supply, you can't manufacture it."

The church hosts blood donor clinics every two months. Clinics have already been planned for June 19, Aug. 21, Oct. 16 and Dec. 18, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Residents can also book an appointment at the Barrie Blood Donor Clinic, located at 231 Bayview Drive, Tuesdays thru Saturdays. For more information, or to book an appointment, call 1-888- 236-6283.