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Give a Little, Get a Lot: Help Replenish Our Blood Supply

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It’s a tough week for the blood supply—the snow and ice that have kept us all indoors have also led to 1,500 missed donations across Canada.

If the roads are safe for you to travel, here is the simplest way to get involved.


🩸 Why it matters right now

  • The Problem: Winter storms and seasonal colds have forced many people to cancel their appointments.
  • The Need: Blood is perishable (it doesn’t last forever), so hospitals need a “fresh” delivery every single day.
  • The Hero Type: If you are O-Negative, you have the “universal” blood type used for emergency rescues. You are especially needed!

✈️ The “Give and Get Away” Bonus

To make the trip worth your while, Canadian Blood Services is running a contest:

  • The Prize: Two roundtrip tickets to any Air Canada destination worldwide.
  • How to enter: Just book and show up for a blood or plasma appointment before March 31, 2026.

📍 Where to go in Saint John

The main spot to help out is the permanent donor centre:

  • Location: 405 University Avenue, Saint John, NB.
  • How to join: 1. Book: Visit blood.ca or download the GiveBlood app. 2. Call: 1-888-2-DONATE. 3. Walk-in: If you’re already out and about, you can just stop by.

First timer? Don’t worry! Most people are in and out in under an hour. Just remember to eat a salty snackdrink lots of water, and bring a photo ID.

  • Mark Downey started in radio broadcasting in 2001 when NB Broadcasting, now Acadia Broadcasting launched a Country Radio station in his hometown of St. Stephen. He's the morning show host of 98.1 Charlotte FM and the mid-day host on Country 94. On Sunday evenings, Mark also hosts the classic country show, The Weekend Jamboree. He owns his own mobile Wedding DJ Business performing at hundreds of weddings over the years. Mark was inducted into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2025.

    Email: downey.mark@radioabl.ca

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May 18, 2026
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