Donors needed for April Blood Clinic in Sharbot Lake

Mar 12, 2025

Over the last year, Canadian Blood Services has partnered with the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team to set up satellite clinics in Sharbot Lake.

While there is a permanent donor centre in Kingston, one of 35 across the country, the staff at that clinic are always working to find convenient ways for people in the Kingston catchment area who do not regularly travel to the city, to be able to donate blood in their own communities.

One-day mobile clinics are their way of doing this, but to make it viable for Canadian Blood Services, donors need to step forward.

“The demand for blood is rising,” said Debbi Barfoot, a community development manager for Canadian Blood Services who is based in Kingston, “and Canadian Blood Services needs 450 new donors every day this winter. One in two Canadians is eligible to donate, yet only 1 in 76 actually does. If you’ve never donated before this is your chance to make a life-saving impact.”

There are 62 appointments available for the April 11 clinic at the Soldiers Memorial Hall (Oso Hall) at 1107 Garrett Street, between 11am and 3pm.

In order for Canadian Blood Services to continue coming out to Sharbot Lake, most of those spots need to be filled.

In order to participate, potential donors are encouraged to start by taking a short eligibility quiz at blood.ca. The survey has 9 questions and takes minutes to complete. After taking the quiz, appointments on the 11th, at five-minute intervals, can be booked on the same site.

“We like to encourage people to donate as a group with friends, family, or colleagues,” said Debbi Barfoot, “and I encourage people to contact me to help organise a group.”

Her email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“Or book an individual appointment and save a life, or recruit one other donor, every extra donation matters,” she said.

Canadian Blood Services is in the midst of a promotional campaign called the 450 Challenge, based on the need for 450 new donors every day, in the winter of 2025.

“We are all standing together in Canada this winter, and what better way to do that than donating blood for a Canadian who needs it. Thank you for being part of this life-saving mission!”

For further information, see the poster reprinted below, go to Blood.ca to take the quiz and register, book by phone at 1-888-2DONATE (236-6283) or email Debbi Barfoot directly.