Northern B.C. pushes to reopen Prince George blood centre amid donor shortage
Residents of northern British Columbia are campaigning to restore a blood donation clinic in Prince George after its 2015 closure, while Canadian Blood Services warns of a national supply shortfall.
A grassroots effort led by Mark Karjaluto seeks to revive the Prince George blood donation centre that Canadian Blood Services closed in 2015 due to high transport expenses. Karjaluto's Our Blood Counts campaign has attracted over 5,000 signatures and endorsements from more than 20 municipal and First Nations bodies, as well as regional MPs and MLAs. With the only northern clinic gone, donors must travel hundreds of kilometres to Kelowna, Vancouver or Edmonton, a burden highlighted by city councillor and nurse Teri Forster.
Meanwhile, Canadian Blood Services announced a "very urgent" nationwide appeal after its inventory fell nearly 20% since June, though it maintains that a permanent Prince George site is not feasible at present. The agency points to logistical challenges, especially for platelets, and encourages occasional donations or financial support. Karjaluto hopes a future plasma-only centre could be viable, given its longer shelf life, and is seeking corporate sponsorship to demonstrate the region's value to the blood system.
Why it matters
The lack of a local blood centre forces northern B.C. residents to travel far for donations, straining supply and patient care.
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