Canadian Blood Services needs holiday blood donations

The holiday season is a time for giving, and Canadian Blood Services hopes everyone remembers that this weekend.

CBS is holding clinics this weekend to meet the never-ending demand.

• Canadian Blood Services urges donations as supplies 'critically low'

The idea of giving is foremost in the mind of Mark Cruickshank, who gave blood on Thursday for the 10th time.

"Everyone is out in the malls trying to buy gifts or give gifts," he told CBC News. "My thought is I want to give a gift that really matters."

And, he added, "It's not as scary as you think it is."

For years, Linda McQueen was unable to give blood because of a medical condition, but that situation changed and now she makes donating a regular part of her routine.

"It's a wonderful feeling to know that you could be saving someone's life," she said. "Sit in an easy chair and get a prick in the arm and that's it. I guess the whole process takes maybe 45 minutes or so."

It's a wonderful feeling to know that you could be saving someone's life.- Blood donor Linda McQueen

Kevin Martin, who said he has donated blood 117 times, says he tries to donate every 56 days.

His message to Albertans can be summed up in one word: "Donate," he said. "Might be a little bit of pain when the needle goes in, but it's very small and it's well worth the effort."

Someone is always in need of blood, he added, and it might even be somebody you know.

"I've had brothers that required it from time to time," he said. "I've known people who needed it desperately."

Canadian Blood Services is holding clinics in Edmonton, Lethbridge, and Calgary through the weekend.