Fort Erie blood donor clinic gets competitive
There was a time in Greater Fort Erie when local high schools and businesses would compete with one another to see who could draw the most support for blood donor clinics in the community.
A longtime resident who will donate for his 75th time on Wednesday at a clinic, sponsored by local realtor Ray Rosettani and his Selling Fort Erie team, says a decrease in participation is what keeps him going back as often as he has — usually as many as two or three times a year in the past four decades.
“It’s still busy, but not like it used to be,” said Alain Longval, who realized the benefit of donating after his wife was in need during the birth of their first child.
“Someone had to the gumption to give her blood — so this is my way of returning it,” he said.
Many years ago, local clinics were an opportunity for people who competed in the corporate challenge, a one-day tournament of competitive outdoor activities, to earn points for the annual summer event.
It folded close to 20 years ago but was revived by Rosettani and his office last year, raising $3,000 for Community Living Fort Erie and held at Bridgewater Country Club.
This year’s series of friendly sack races and unique exercises will be held at the same venue on June 10 and people planning to be involved are encouraged to show support at the upcoming clinic, as well as two more that will be hosted in the following months.
“We just want to reach out and try to do this again,” said Holly Johnston, a lead organizer in the corporate challenge and this year’s affiliated blood donor clinics.
“We’re really trying to promote awareness in the community as much as we can,” she said.
Canadian Blood Services collects about 17,000 units of blood annually in Niagara.
According to the organization, only four per cent of Canadians donate.
Canadian Blood Services is responsible for recruiting donors and collecting blood, plasma, and platelets at 36 permanent collection sites and more than 14,000 donor clinics every year across the country.
Wednesday’s clinic runs 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Michael’s Catholic Church parish hall on Central Avenue.