Tri-City residents can do two good deeds at once at the second annual Bleed & Feed blood donor clinics next month.
Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is teaming up with Food Banks British Columbia to encourage people to donate blood this season, and to bring a food donation as well to help families in need.
"The needs of both the blood bank and the food bank are great," said Ed Yee, director of donor services for the BC and Yukon region of CBS, in a release. "But by rallying together, British Columbians can help fill up both of these banks at blood donor clinics."
The two organizations hope the combined drives will go a long way towards meeting their donation goals: 9,750 blood donors for CBS and enough food for the province's food banks to feed 70,000 people.
Blood is needed not only for trauma victims but also for patients undergoing chemotherapy, cardiac surgeries and organ transplants - procedures that take place routinely throughout the Christmas and New Year's holidays.
Bleed & Feed food collection boxes will be at the front desk of all B.C. blood donor clinics from Dec. 1 to 31. In the Tri-Cities, food collected at clinics will go to the Share food bank.
"By acting as a food drop-off location, they're making it very simple for British Columbians to do two good deeds at once," said Don Armstrong, president of Food Banks British Columbia.
Angela Poon of CBS said there are walk-in appointments available at all clinics but you run the risk of waiting.
"We always recommend people make an appointment, that way they know when their slot is and they won't have to wait," she said, adding the online booking option at www.blood.ca makes it easier than ever.
Clinics in the Tri-Cities include:
COQUITLAM
Dec. 4, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Place Maillardville (1200 Cartier Ave.)
Dec. 8, 1:30 to 8 p.m. - Mundy Park Christian Fellowship (2600 Austin Ave.)
Dec. 16, 12:15 to 6:45 p.m. - Coquitlam Christian Centre (2665 Runnel Dr.)
PORT COQUITLAM
Dec. 5, 1:30 to 8 p.m. - Northside Church (2606 Kingsway Ave.)
PORT MOODY
Dec. 29, 1:30 to 8 p.m. - Cornerstone Community Church (1415 Noons Creek Dr.)
You can also book by calling 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
