If you are free this evening (December 14) Canadian Blood Services is encouraging you to make a special donation. 

With slots still open for tonight's donor clinic, Lisa Castro, Territory Manager, Donor Relations for Alberta & Saskatchewan, says they would love for you to drop by the Cochrane RancheHouse. "The holiday season is generally a challenging time to collect blood since donors are changing their routines, taking vacations, busy shopping, and with social engagements, that is why we are reminding all eligible donors to give blood from now until January 6th, 2019. We really need that support going into the New Year."

The donor clinic is open until 8 pm this evening at the Cochrane RancheHouse, and there are still roughly a couple dozen appointment times open and available. 

Giving the gift of blood this time of year is extremely important. "We want to really ensure our patients' needs are met now and into the holiday season. The need for blood doesn't stop and one in every second Canadian is impacted by that need. So missed or cancelled appointments are difficult for us to fill at this time of the year and if you make an appointment we are really encouraging you to keep it and if you are unable to make it to your appointment, we are asking you to cancel it so that we can try and find someone else to take your place."

If you can't make this evening's donor clinic there is another option; Castro says the clinic will make a return to Cochrane on December 31st. "If you want to end the year on a high note we are going to be back at the Cochrane RancheHouse from 9 to 1 and we still have about 50 appointments waiting to be filled for that one."

If you need to cancel, make an appointment, or check your time, there are lots of options to do so. "It is pretty easy for you to donate, find that appointment, and it's easy for you to support Canada's bloodline. You can book an appointment, locate a donor centre, or check your eligibility by downloading the 'Give Blood' App or by calling 1 888 2DONATE or visiting our website at  https://blood.ca/en"

Hoping to fill the gap for this evening and see a full roster for December 31st, Castro shares, businesses can get involved as well. "For the 31st we have Cochrane Toyota stepping up and they have adopted that clinic. They support our clinics in Cochrane and in Canmore and help us build that awareness piece. We have a partnership program called 'Partners for Life' and it engages those community groups and business organizations that want to get involved."

Canadian Blood Services is hoping to see approximately 150 blood donors to end the year on New Year’s Eve.