Volunteers from Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) Station 8-Delta gave back to the community they serve recently by donating blood at the Canadian Blood Services drive in Ladner.
About a quarter of the 35 members were on hand throughout the day at the Ladner Community Centre.
Canadian Blood Services had a goal of 134 donations and collected 113.
“We are all about giving back to the community and supporting the community. We ask at times that the community supports us, but it’s mainly doing what we can for the community,” said RCMSAR member Wayne Friebel.
RCMSAR Station 8-Delta started in 1978. It is the only SAR station that operates out of Point Roberts, where it has quick access to the 600 square miles it’s tasked to cover.
“All our volunteers are mostly boaters. We have the knowledge and expertise and love to volunteer,” he said. “We are available for rescue 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
David Patterson, director of donor relations with Canadian Blood Services, said they are urging all eligible blood donors in B.C. to help fill more than 5,000 open appointments by Jan. 6.
“With a shelf life of only seven days, there is a pressing need for platelets to treat patients with cancer. Platelets are a vital blood component that helps make blood clot,” said Patterson. “Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood and often from more than one generous donor. This holiday season the best gift you can give a hospital patient is blood.”
He added while all blood types are needed to help patients, this holiday season the supply of O-negative blood is in particular demand. O-negative blood is the only type compatible with all other blood types.
When someone’s life is on the line, and there’s no time to check blood type, patients in an emergency situation can all receive O-negative blood.
