According to the Canadian Blood Services website, approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. The staff and students at West Kildonan Collegiate recently helped meet that demand.

On April 17, the school hosted a blood donor clinic and encouraged students 17 years of age and older as well as staff and community members to donate.

Science teacher and organizer Krysta Polley said this is the fourth year that she has been a part of the blood donor program. West Kildonan has hosted clinics for many years, though.

Polley went on to say Seven Oaks School Division has three clinics per year between West Kildonan, Garden City and Maples collegiates. Students who wish to donate at other schools are transported back and forth in a shuttle. An average of 65 people donate during each of the clinics.

Sally Hnatiuk, a Grade 12 student has donated on her own for the past year at the Canadian Blood Services office located at 777 William Ave.

"You literally feel like a hero and the staff are really amazing and grateful for you coming in," she says.

Hnatiuk encourages other young people who may be nervous about donating to go with friends. She stresses the importance of donating blood, saying that everyone will know someone at some point who will need blood.

"It’s literally draining," she expressed, "but as long as you sit down, take it easy and eat something like cookies afterwards, you’ll feel fine," she says, adding she plans to continue donating blood for as long as she can. "It’s a good cause," she said.

What’s Your Type? is a community-based program though Canadian Blood Services that encourages youth who do not meet the age requirement for donation to learn their blood type.

This program creates awareness among youth to donate when they are old enough. Those participating must be at least 14 years old and parental permission is required. The test is done with a pin prick on a finger and test results are known within two minutes.

There are no further clinics scheduled for the 2011-12 school year in Seven Oaks. However to arrange an appointment to donate blood, call 1-888-2-DONATE. To receive more information on What’s Your Type, send an email to whatsyourtype@blood.ca.

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Riverbend Readers drop-in program for kids five and under meets at Ecole Riverbend Community School on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. Free play, story, gym time and healthy snacks are offered. The school is located at 123 Red River Blvd.

For more information please call 334-8417.

Christina Hiebert is a community correspondent for Riverbend and Rivergrove. You can contact her at christina.hiebert@gmail.com.