Cody Wright decided to give blood for the first time and wound up getting face-time with Santa.
"It's the holiday season," said Wright. "Giving spirit. Friends were going so I said why not."
Blood donations tend to slow down during the holiday season with people busy with Christmas activities.
But it can turn out to be a high demand time and donations make a huge difference.
"It's probably one of the most impactful times you can make a donation," said Elaine St. Pierre, Territory Manager for the Barrie, York Region, Simcoe, Muskoka Canadian Blood Services.
Canadian Blood Services kicked off the holiday season Friday with a campaign called Days of Giving.
Teams from Kool FM and Rock 95 along with a group of donors were at the clinic on Bayview Drive to support the initiative.
"We're really trying to encourage as many people as possible to come out and give the gift of life. It's the best gift you can give this holiday season to help a hospital patient in need. There's so many people that need the blood. The need doesn't stop for the holidays," Elaine St Pierre, Territory Manager.
A car crash victim could go through up to 50 units of blood. Hospitals in Canada use about 17,000 units of blood every single week to meet patient needs.
"Fifty people making one blood donation could be used to save the life of one car crash victim. But there are so many uses for blood on a daily basis. Things like surgeries, cancer patients need blood. So many people in Canada with blood disorders," said St. Pierre.
Santa was at the clinic Friday for the campaign launch and to congratulate those on his 'nice' list.
"Ho ho ho. I believe that the people here at the bank are doing the right thing. They're giving! And that's what the spirit of Christmas is all about - is to give. It's nice to see so many people giving a chance of life for someone else to enjoy Christmas as well," Santa said.
And of course, he added a hearty, "Merry Christmas."
There are over 350 openings between now and the end of the year at he Barrie clinic alone.
Walk-ins are welcome but you can book an appointment online.
It takes about one hour.
The only day of the year Canadian Blood Services doesn't collect blood is Christmas Day.
Call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit blood.ca.
