The Canadian Blood Service says the return of the Uniforms Unite drive to give blood is happening at a time of need.
Director of Donor Relations for the area Michael Betel says the agency needs an inventory of about 20,000 units but it is about 8,000 below that.
"We had a few winter storms, we had a lot of people deferred because they had traveled to areas with zika virus for example, this year we need to get about 100,000 new donors across the country," he says. "The Uniforms Unite To Save Lives campaign is supported by the Chatham-Kent police, fire, and EMS working together."
Fire, ambulance and police emergency responders are holding a blood donor clinic this afternoon to donate and encourage everyone else to do the same.
The clinic runs from 1pm-7pm at the Spirit and Life Centre, 184 Wellington St. W in Chatham.