Canadian Blood Services is calling on Richmond community members to donate blood, platelets and plasma before and during Thanksgiving.
"Thanksgiving, like other long weekends, can be a difficult time to collect donations as people are away or busy with family activities," reads Canadian Blood Services' public service announcement.
The low blood reserve this summer was restored and the plasma supply also grew with the efforts of donors, but "the need is constant for blood, platelets and plasma donors."
Donations will benefit cancer patients, accident victims and people with rare, life-threatening, chronic and generic conditions.
Spots are open St. Paul's Parish donation event on Oct. 7, which will run from 12 to 6:45 p.m. Appointments can be made online at blood.ca, on the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).