A teenage leukemia survivor plans to celebrate his final treatment by organizing a special blood clinic in the inner city.

Ryan Veldkamp hopes to recruit 78 donors to give blood at Canadian Blood Services location on William Avenue near the Health Sciences Centre.

"I want to say thank you (to people) for helping me and show people it’s important to give blood because there are lots more patients who need it," said the North End resident.

The number 78 has particular significance for Veldkamp, 14. It represents the number of major milestones he has experienced since being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in November 2008: 40 months of treatment; 27 spinal taps; eight blood transfusions; and three platelet transfusions.

Patricia Bal, community development co-ordinator with Canadian Blood Services, said the need for donors continues to grow.

Bal said Manitoba will need to recruit more than 4,000 new blood donors this year in addition to retaining its current donors.

"To keep up with hospital demand and the needs of their patients,"  she said.

Veldkamp said while blood donation is often anonymous, he wanted to encourage the public to continue to donate blood on a regular basis by hosting the drive this Saturday.  

"When people donate blood, they don’t get to meet the person who needed it," he said.     

The event will take place Sat., Feb. 25, from 8 a.m. to noon at Canadian Blood Services Winnipeg blood donor clinic at 777 William Ave. To donate blood in honour of Ryan, call 1-888-2 DONATE or visit www.blood.ca to book an appointment.

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rob.brown@canstarnews.com