Nine In Ten (92%) Blood Donors Glad
to Give Blood

Ottawa, ON - On October 29th Canadian Blood Services announced that its emergency reserve of blood had been depleted by 40 percent and put out an urgent need for blood donors. Appointment bookings in the fall were low across the country, which was one of the contributing factors that lead to the depletion of the national blood inventory. At the same time, the Canadian economy was facing a similar downturn. For this reason Canadian Blood Services commissioned Ipsos Reid to conduct a survey among the general public and blood donors to find out if the downturn in the economy was in any way related to the decline in appointment bookings.

The survey among the general public found that eight in ten (80%) `agreed' (33% strongly/47% somewhat) that `with the Canadian economy declining and the threat of a recession on the horizon, it's going to get harder for Canadians to find time and money to help charities'. The results were similar among donors (82% agree), however donors were less likely to `strongly agree' with this statement (22% vs. 33% among the general public).

When asked about plans to cut back on spending and live without a few things until the economy turns around the general public was more likely to `agree' (72%, 22% strongly agree/50% somewhat agree) compared to donors (64%, 15% strongly/49% somewhat agree). Blood donors were also asked specifically about their views on blood donation in this context and nine in ten (92%) `agreed' (68% strongly/24% somewhat) that `they are glad that they can donate blood because it allows them to make a contribution to others no matter what troubles are facing the economy or society'.

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Canadian Blood Services from October 27 to November 3, 2008. This online survey of 762 Canadians (excluding those living in Quebec) was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel. The results of this poll are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls, however, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of Canada been polled. The blood donor survey was conducted from October 24 to 27, 2008. This survey was conducted online among 1,166 donors using a custom online panel of blood donors. An unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of adult blood-donors in Canada been polled.

For more information on this news release, please contact:
Mike Colledge
Senior Vice President
and Managing Director
Ipsos Reid
Public Affairs
(613) 688-8971
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid
Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

To learn more, please visit www.ipsos.ca.

About Ipsos
Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999.

In 2007, Ipsos generated global revenues of e927.2 million ($1.27 billion U.S.).

Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

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