This Thursday, Nov. 20, Canadian Blood Services returns to the Almonte Civitan Hall for a blood donor clinic. Those looking to donate can do so from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and again from 5 to 8 p.m.

"The new time schedule has benefited us in the sense that it has created a better clinic," explained Canadian Blood Services community development co-ordinator Jolene Maxwell. "It allows for a better flow of donors because we are always fully staffed (no one is leaving during the clinic for a supper break). The time change was made mainly to improve customer service, and it has definitely done just that."

Throughout the next year, Canadian Blood Services will be looking to recruit 85,000 new donors nationally in an effort to meet the growing demand for blood.

"As the years go on, or donor population has been getting smaller and smaller," Maxwell continued. "We are trying to recruit as many young, new donors as possible. Hospital demand for blood is always increasing. New technologies are introduced every day, all of which require our assistance and so, we really rely on communities like Almonte to come through for us.

The last blood donor clinic held in Almonte on July 31 resulted in the collection of 174 units of blood from 201 donors while the Feb. 21 clinic resulted in 122 units from 150 donors.

"Almonte continues to grow in its number of donors," Maxwell said. "We can't thank the community enough for its growing support toward all Canadians who are in need of blood and blood products. We hope to see about 200 people walk through the door on Nov. 20 and we hope to collect 150 units. If we can get a steady flow of donors, the results should be terrific."

Residents of Almonte, Carleton Place, Beckwith and Lanark County in general are encouraged to take the time to drop in to donate.

According to statistics provided by Canadian Blood Services, on average, every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood or blood products. Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit, charitable organization, which manages the blood supply in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. For more information, visit www.blood.ca.

To book an appointment to donate blood locally on Nov. 20, call 1-889-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).