Dottie North gave blood for the 78th time on Thursday... to celebrate her 65th birthday. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

ho-ho-happy birthday!

Santa drops in to donate blood at birthday party

Dec 19, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Even Santa knows its important to donate blood.

The jolly old elf was at the Canadian Blood Services donor centre in Red Deer on Thursday to roll up his sleeves in honour of Dottie North’s 65th birthday, which she was celebrating by giving blood with family and friends.

Both Santa and Dottie strongly encourage central Albertans to give, if they can, this holiday season.

“We hear about so many people who are travelling to get home to their family at Christmas and then there’s a big accident,” says North. “It breaks my heart. So there’s the people who don’t make it home, and then people who are ill and can’t be at home for Christmas.”

North, who has now donated 78 times, says her late husband was given more time at the end of his life because of donated blood.

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“I was grateful there was blood there for him,” she says.

More than 300 blood donations are needed at the Red Deer donor centre by Jan. 5. They’re also aiming for 100 new donors.

Blood donations are particularly vital at this time for collecting platelets, a blood component with a short expiry of seven days. Many patients with cancer or blood disorders depend on platelet treatment.

Marissa Stryker, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services, says group gatherings or team-building efforts like Dottie’s can bring a lot of awareness to the cause.

“The need is constant. It doesn’t actually take a holiday. We are asking people to not only book appointments, but keep their appointments,” says Stryker. “Unfortunately, people do cancel because it’s busy, but we’re asking for 30-45 minutes of their time and that donated time can save someone’s life. It can’t be understated how amazing that is.”

To organize a group blood donation, or to give individually, download the GiveBlood app, dial 1-888-2-DONATE (366283), or visit Blood.ca.