Man makes 224th donation to Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services in Barrie is working to fill hundreds of empty appointments this month, with the service relying on the generosity of many regular donors.
At the beginning of February, officials say there were 700 empty appointments that needed to be filled. Jack Barnett has been donating for decades. He recently made his 224th donation.
"Everybody needs a hand, and this is my way of helping," says Barnett. "I was in scouting, and that was one of our commitments, was service, and I've continued since 18."
Officials with Canadian Blood Services say donations are needed for a wide variety of patient needs, including children battling leukemia and other cancers who require frequent transfusions.
"You can make all the difference in a patient's life," says Cheryl Russell, the community development officer with the Barrie location. "You can give them the opportunity to thrive and return home to their families; you can help them go back to work and be part of this wonderful community we call Barrie; they can return to the playgrounds and play with their friends again."
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian Blood Services lost 31,000 regular donors. It has worked to make the booking process as easy as possible. Appointments can be made online, through its app or over the phone.
"It is yours to give, it's free to give, and it's so very simple," says Russell. "It's something that will give you, I call it, the warm and fuzzy at the end of the day, and we want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable here."
Giving to those in need is what has kept Barnett donating for decades.
"It's so easy to give, it just takes a bit of time, and you can help so many people; it's the way to go," says Barnett.
For more information on how to book an appointment, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.