Blood donor clinic van  (Photo by Paul Pedro)Blood donor clinic van (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Chatham

Give Where You Live

Canadian Blood Services says it is in dire need of blood.

Spokesperson Marisa Gatfield of says the agency needs about 815 donors over the next week in Chatham-Kent, Windsor-Essex, and London-Middlesex.

Gatfield says holiday long weekends are usually a challenge.

"Typically when we come into long weekends, blood donations often decrease as regular donors are away or busy with family activities. So, when we get into long weekends there's a call out to donors," says Gatfield.

The need across Ontario is about 5,000 units of blood through the Thanksgiving Day weekend. For more information on blood donor clinic hours and locations visit www.blood.ca.

Gatfield encourages people to come out and bring a family member or a friend.

"We need donors everyday. Most donations are used within days. So, it's really important for people to come out and give in the community where they live and give that gift of life," Gatfield says. "Think about it, every minute of every day someone in Canada is receiving a blood transfusion. So, it's that important."

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