Newmarket
November 20, 2008 03:15 PM
Teresa Latchford, Staff Writer
Gifts under the tree are great, but the gift of blood is priceless.
Canadian Blood Services encourages you to give a part of themselves and save a life by donating blood.
The organization has adopted a theme for its 2008 holiday campaign, ‘Because giving blood is the most precious gift’, to remind you what each blood donation means to patients.
“It is a gift that allows Canadians to acknowledge their friends and family, while helping those in need,” community development co-ordinator Michelle Palmer said. “There’s no cost and the benefits are immeasurable.”
Although residents have been rolling up their sleeves and making donations, the need for blood and blood products is ongoing as hospitals continue to draw on the supply.
The holiday season is a significant challenge for the blood system due to the busy schedules of donors, but setting aside one hour to donate has the potential to save up to three lives and makes a direct impact on the community, she said.
This year, Canadian Blood Services in Central Ontario needs to collect more than 13,000 units locally between Dec. 1 and Jan. 4 to meet hospital needs.
For more information on the organization, donations or clinics, call 1-888-236-6283 or visit blood.ca.
Take the time to help save a life, make a blood donation:
• Dec. 1: Newmarket Community Centre from 2 to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 5: Ray Twinney Recreation Complex, lounge one from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 12: Sutton Kin Hall from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Dec. 13: Mount Albert Community Centre from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.