Canadian Blood Services is asking people to celebrate Family Day in February by giving a family size blood donation at the local blood donor clinic.
Every donor helps save up to three lives with just one donation..
Organizers for Canadian Blood Services suggested that Family Day is the ideal time to begin a new tradition of saving lives as a family since over half of all Canadians say they or a family member have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment (Ipsos-Reid poll).
Donating blood together is an opportunity to make a life-saving difference. First time donors between the ages of 17 to 61 are always welcome.
Blood donors are especially needed this month around the Family Day holiday as platelets, a blood component needed by many patients undergoing treatment for cancer, have a short shelf life of only five days, making supplies sensitive to disruptions such as long weekends.
Four blood donors are needed to make just one unit of platelets.
The Mount Forest and District Recreation Complex is the site of the clinic on Feb. 3, from 2 to 8pm.
No appointment is needed.
