Amie MacNeil's drive to recruit 129 blood donors for the Canadian Blood Service got off to a healthy start in Aldergrove on Saturday, with almost 60 new donors turning up in support.
She is aiming to recruit 129 blood donors to "pay forward", as a way of giving thanks for the 129 units of blood she received in emergency surgery at Royal Columbian Hospital on December 7, 2009.
During those critical five hours in the operating room Amie received 129 units of blood.
This is her inspiration for her personal pledge to the Canadian Blood Service to recruit 129 blood donors.
She has a Facebook page called "Amie MacNeil's Blood Drive - 129 reasons to give" which currently stands at 351 members. The Facebook page has generated a lot of interest and commitments to donate a unit of blood each at last Saturday's blood donor clinic in Aldergrove.
Amie was at Saturday's clinic, Feb. 13 at Aldergrove Secondary school, where she donated another unit of blood and stayed to be on hand to greet her recruits during the day.
"Sending out a great big thanks to every single person who showed up Saturday to donate and support my blood drive," said Amie.
"It was a very busy place to be and I appreciate how patient you all were. In total, I had 66 people prepared to participate and, although some were not able to donate in the end for various reasons, I am pretty sure I've counted 56 donors who completed the process today. Add that to the 30-plus donors I had before today and I'd say this blood drive will reach the goal of 129 donors in no time."
The clinic visits Aldergrove every two months, with the next one set for April 9, but Amie notes that clinics are more frequent in the bigger centres of Langley and Abbotsford.
Blood donors who wish to support her campaign should contact Amie via Facebook (or email to 129reasonstogive@gmail.com) and she will help register their appointments at the blood donor clinics of their choice.
"The next donor clinic that I'll be attending is scheduled in Langley at Blacklock Elementary on Sunday, February 28, so message me if you're interested in grabbing a spot," said Amie.