A spokesperson for Canadian Blood Services says blood donations have been way up across the prairies, since the Humboldt bus crash earlier this month.

Territory Manager Steve Raizen says when tragedy strikes, people want to help. And, he says in the case of the Humboldt crash, Canadians are choosing to donate blood as one way of helping out.

Raizen says the greatest response has come from Saskatchewan, followed by Alberta and Manitoba. He notes the response has not extended much into either Ontario or British Columbia. In Manitoba, Canadian Blood Services received 107 per cent of its donation goal last week.

"We just want to thank the first time donors and the regular donors who took time to come out to give in that time of need," says Raizen.

On Monday of this week, Steinbach held its first blood donor clinic since the crash.

"In Steinbach, we didn't quite achieve our collection goal," he admits.

According to Raizen, they took in 84 collections in Steinbach, down from the expected 96. That works out to about 87 per cent of their collection goal. Raizen says they had 70 per cent of their slots filled by the time the clinic started and so he is not surprised they didn't meet their target. He notes most months in Steinbach they reach their goal.

"Our donor base in Steinbach is very dedicated and donates on a regular basis," he explains. "There just may have not been donors who are eligible to donate at that time."

Raizen says in response to the Humboldt crash, it is difficult to predict how long people will continue to donate blood. He says it probably depends on how long the public is kept aware of the tragedy. But he guesses it could be a couple more weeks yet.

The next blood donor clinic in Steinbach is scheduled for May 7, from 2-7 pm at Steinbach Evangelical Mennonite Church.