Canadian Blood Services is urging Canadians to donated blood and plasma due the “unprecedented” series of devastating events across Canada this summer.

Blood donors usually drop off somewhat in the summer months, but a series of serious weather-related events including wildfires that forced the evacuation of numerous communities across the country, heat waves and damaging flash floods have made maintenance of the blood and plasma supply even more challenging.

The Canadian Blood Services says it had to cancel more than 300 donation appointments in the Kelowna area along last week due to wildfires threatening the community.

Almost 10,000 donation appointments need to be filled across the country between now and Labour Day.

Donated blood can only be stored for up to 42 days, while on average, every minute someone else in Canada needs blood.

Donors are being encouraged to book an appointment today to help fill the need.