In addition to people being on summer holidays and not being available to give blood, there can also be an uptick in need for blood products on long weekends. At last word there was 175 appointments in Saskatoon that the CBS would like filled.

By the end of the year, Canadian Blood Services is looking to add 100,000 thousand new donors across the country by the end of the year and 2,700 new donors are needed between Saskatoon and Regina.

Currently, donorship is at the lowest its ever been at any point over the last 10 years.  Saskatoon Territory Manager, Lisa Beechinor says that had a lot to do with illness, isolating, natural turnover of donors as well as ability to hold in person recruiting events.

Mayor Charlie Clark and Regina Mayor Sandra Masters have a challenge going to see which city can fill more appointments before the end of the Canada Day weekend.

As of Friday last week, there were 175 open appointments in Saskatoon.

Currently Canadian Blood Services is in need of whole blood but all blood donation products are needed including platelets and plasma.

Same day appointments are available. To schedule an appointment you can visit blood.ca, download the Give Blood app or call Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-236-6283.