With Christmas swiftly approaching, students from Dover Bay Secondary School thought it fitting to give blood.
Canadian Blood Services held a clinic at Beban Park social centre over several days last week with Dover Bay students filling 15 appointments during that time.
Madison Hoy, a Grade 12 Dover Bay student, who was donating blood for the first time, said she decided to give after seeing posters around the school and on the suggestion of student council.
“I’m not too good with needles. I think it’s a good thing to do and my family does it, so I thought I should get into it as well,” said Hoy.
Pacey O’Donnell, a Grade 11 Dover Bay student who volunteers with Canadian Blood Services, organized the student effort with Julia Metrowich. O’Donnell knew a lot of the students could give blood, but didn’t.
“I even did a survey and we had so many students that wanted to donate, but didn’t know how to,” O’Donnell said. “We would go see if we could sign up ... and maybe get some students to come and donate because we both volunteer here, so we went to as many students as we could,” said O’Donnell.
Ann Chabert, Canadian Blood Services territory manager, said blood is like milk and has an expiry date. It was fitting that people gave last week.
“Whoever comes in to donate today might actually save somebody’s life at Christmas because there is only a life span of only so many days that whatever comes in now needs to be used by recipients almost immediately … it is truly the gift of life, especially around the holidays,” said Chabert.