With the last long weekend of the summer just around the corner, Canadian Blood Services said it needs 1,200 more donors to book an appointment to donate blood to help meet the needs of hospital patients.

Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood — most often, it takes more than one donor to save a hospital patient’s life, Canadian Blood Services said in a press release. A single car accident victim may require 50 units of blood and blood products to survive injuries.

That’s why this long weekend, communities, groups and families across the country are encouraged to rally together to donate blood.

Those who choose to donate blood can improve or save the life of a hospital patient so they can return home to their family and friends.

How much blood is needed to save the life of a:
-Car accident victim - Up to 50 donors.
-Leukemia patient - Up to eight donors a week for several weeks.
-Cardiovascular surgery patient - Up to five donors.
-A patient with internal bleeding – Up to two to eight donors.
-Aplastic anemia patient- Up to four donors a month.
-Bone-marrow transplant patient – Up to two donors a day.
-Brain surgery patient - Up to two donors.
-Hip-replacement patient - Up to two donors.

There are plenty of opportunities to donate blood heading into this long weekend. Visit Canadian Blood Services online at www.blood.ca or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to book an appointment to donate today.

Canadian Blood Services operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually.