Before heading out on the road for the long weekend, open your veins to give some blood first.
There are currently 66 blood donation appointments available in New Westminster and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is urging eligible residents to book them up.
With the B.C. Day long weekend around the corner, CBS is asking New West residents to make time for one of two Bloodmobile blood donor clinics.
"Hospitals need blood year-round," said Jan Hawkins, donor services manager of CBS. "Life doesn't stop for doctors, nurses, and especially patients, just because it's a long weekend."
Blood is needed every minute of every day at hospitals across the country, according to a CBS press release, noting that accidents are common on long weekends
"Therefore, we can't stop collecting blood around long weekends," Hawkins said. "We're asking those who are staying in town to please donate blood in advance of the long weekend."
Blood is also still in high demand for cancer treatments, heart surgery and transplant procedures no matter the time of year.
New Westminster will have two opportunities to donate blood:
On Thursday, July 28 the Bloodmobile will be at Douglas College (700 Royal Avenue) from 10 a.m. to 4:15 a.m. There are 26 appointments available.
On Friday, July 29 at Safeway (800 McBride Boulevard) from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Forty appointments are still available.
Call 1-888-2-Donate to book an appointment.
For more information on the Canadian Blood Services visit www.blood.ca.
