Brighten up someone's holiday by giving blood

Canadian Blood Services is asking residents to be a star this holiday season by donating blood and blood products during the 2007's Brighten a Life holiday blood drive.

The Brighten a Life campaign will attempt to collect 1,150 units of blood and sign-up 50 new Partners for Life members from Dec. 3 to Jan. 4, to help patients waiting for transfusion support at many of the region's 57 hospitals.

The theme of this year's campaign continues to focus on being a star within the community by committing to donate blood regularly and understanding the need for blood in areas of medicine that constantly require transfusion support.

Brighten a Life this year profiles the need for transfusion support concerning cancer treatments and therapies.

Over the next month, donors can fill out cards to give to those who have never donated, encouraging them to make a life-saving donation over the holidays, which can be a difficult time to collect blood with many people busy getting ready for festivities. As a result, the holiday season represents a challenge for the blood system. Hospitals continue to draw on the supply of blood and blood products, while donors, preoccupied with holiday activities, do not continue to replenish the supply.

The Innisfil Community Church will host a clinic on Thursday December 20 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Canadians interested in donating are encouraged to contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-236-6283 for clinic and eligibility information, or to book an appointment.