Canadians urged to signal their commitment to donate blood at MissingType.ca

Ambitious goal of 20,000 sign-ups underscores the need for new donors

(OTTAWA) – Canadian Blood Services is calling on eligible Canadians to signal their intent to donate blood this year at missingtype.ca.

Earlier this week Canadian Blood Services was one of 25 blood service organizations across 21 countries that launched the International Missing Type campaign to recruit new blood donors.

“We need more Canadians to become regular blood donors to meet Canada’s future blood needs,” says Mark Donnison, vice president of donor relations.

“Across Canada, we must collect 17,000 units of blood every week, yet less than four per cent of eligible donors sustain the blood system for all Canadians.

“Missing Type is an opportunity for Canadians to show the world we can meet the goal of registering 20,000 sign ups on missingtype.ca.”

Organizers say if thousands of people sign up at missingtype.ca and confirm their intent to donate at some point this year, they’ll have a good chance of recruiting 100,000 new blood donors needed in 2016 to give life, replace the aging donor base and maintain the national blood supply.

Missing Type runs in Canada until August 28. The campaign involves the letters A, B and O, which represent the blood groups or type, going missing in brand names, logos, and signage in everyday life here and around the world to draw attention to the need to donate blood.

To learn more and sign-up visit missingtype.ca. There are many ways to be a part of Missing Type and give life. Support the campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #MissingType.

To discover all the ways you can give life and to book an appointment, download the GiveBlood app or visit blood.ca.