With the summer months seeing more drivers on the road, and more vehicle collisions, emergency service workers in Winkler have kicked off Sirens for Life here in the Pembina Valley. It is a national campaign led by Canadian Blood Services to encourage the public, and other first responders, to become blood donors.  

That fact, combined with many people taking vacations, adds up to a dire need for Canadian Blood Services.

Chris Kalansky, Deputy Chief with Winkler Police Service, says he began giving blood some time ago.

"The first donation I had was at the University of Manitoba when I was going to school there. A couple of friends of mine convinced me to go donate blood. It was Thursday afternoon, and I wanted to skip a class, so it seemed like a good reason to do that, and get a little bit of civic pride going at the same time."

He went to make that donation and kept it up, returning several times through school.

"I stopped for a while, and then moved out to Winkler. They were running a clinic, and I got convinced to start doing that again. Actually, I ended up running the local clinic for a few years. I've kept donations ongoing throughout the years."

Kalansky has seen the value of giving blood through first-hand experience.

"You know, it gets into your routine, it becomes part of your pattern. As an emergency worker, you see the need for it. Personally, my wife needed a transfusion a few years back, needing six units of blood. We've personally benefited, our family, from that, and it was a life-saving thing. It makes you appreciate it that much more."

Canadian Blood Services is asking local residents to lend their arms by donating blood in support of their local emergency services teams. Potential donors can sign up at blood.ca or by calling 1-800-TO-DONATE or by downloading the Canadian Blood Services app. 

At this time, donors are required to make an appointment in order to give blood at a local clinic.