With low turnout for blood donations in Windsor, local residents are being called on to give the gift of life this holiday season.
Canadian Blood Services in Windsor says between now and the first week of January, there are over 1,000 available appointments to fill for blood donations.
Territory Manager Marisa Gatfield says as of Thursday, Canadian Blood Services has only collected 35% of its weekly donation quota within the city .
"Every week at the Windsor blood donor clinic we need 375 donors to come through our doors to help us meet our collection targets of 288 units," she says.
Gatfield says the lack of donor turnout has been surprising.
"We don't what is going on there, all we know is that people aren't coming in and donating blood right now in the Windsor community, and we really are counting on that support," says Gatfield.
She says it's very important that they meet those targets to ensure hospital patient needs are met.
"The need for blood is constant," says Gatfield. "Patients in the Windsor community are counting on that support every day."
Gatfield says the entire donation process takes around one hour, and anyone wanting to make an appointment to donate blood can call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Walk-ins are also welcome.