The turnout for a Boxing Day blood donor clinic in Shelburne was disappointing to Canadian Blood Services (CBS).

The clinic was held at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex in Shelburne from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The goal was to have 70 donors but just 44 showed up.

“There were a lot of noshows,” said Marg Gow, clinic recruitment co-ordinator.

“Hopefully they’ll turn out in droves for February,” she said. The next clinic in Shelburne is set for Feb. 28 at the Recreation Complex, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

The goal for this year is to collect about 17,500 units of blood in the Central Ontario Region between December 5 and January 13 to help meet the needs during this period.

Various medical treatments require different amounts of blood. For example, a cancer treatment needs up to eight units a week, a car accident/ gunshot wound needs up to 50 units, an organ transplant needs up to 10 units and a heart bypass surgery needs up to eight units.

Currently just over 15,000 units have been donated.

Ms. Gow hopes that with Christmas now over more people will remember to make an appointment at one of the clinics and donate.

In Orangeville the next clinic will be at Orangeville Baptist Church on January 25 from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.

To make an appointment to donate at any clinic call 1-888-236-6283.

“The need for blood and blood supplies never stops,” CBS said in a press release.