People can do two good deeds at once by donating a non-perishable food item when donating blood at a Penticton blood donor clinic this holiday season.
In December, Canadian Blood Services will need 9,750 blood donors to give blood at clinics across the province and Food Banks British Columbia will need enough food to feed 70,000 people.
“The needs of both the blood bank and the food bank are great,” said Ed Yee, director of donor and clinic services for the B.C. and Yukon region of Canadian Blood Services. “But by rallying together, British Columbians can help fill up both of these banks at blood donor clinics across the province this December.”
Bleed & Feed food collection boxes will be at the front reception desk at all B.C. blood donor clinics from Dec. 1 to 31. Food collected at each clinic will go to that community’s local food bank. In Penticton, food collected will be donated to the Salvation Army Community Food Bank.
Blood is not only needed for trauma victims over the holiday season, but for patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments, cardiac surgeries and organ transplants — procedures that all routinely take place around the Christmas holidays.
There are still donation appointments available at Penticton blood donor clinics. Donors can book appointments to give blood in one of two ways: by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or by booking online at blood.ca.
Upcoming clinics at the Penticton Seniors Centre (2965 South Main St.) include: Dec. 7 from 1 to 5:30 p.m.; Dec. 8, from noon to 5:30 p.m.; and Dec. 9, from 1 to 5:30 p.m.