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Blood drive neck and neck

Prince George has gained ground and is in a near tie with Kelowna as this year's Canadian Blood Services' Interior Drive for Life enters the final stretch.

Prince George has gained ground and is in a near tie with Kelowna as this year's Canadian Blood Services' Interior Drive for Life enters the final stretch.

As of Tuesday, the clinic in Prince George has taken in 884 donations over the six weeks the challenge has been under way, enough to achieve 98.66 per cent of its goal of 896 donations.

The Kelowna clinic, meanwhile, has brought in 1,349 donations, for 100.37 per cent of its goal of 1,344 donations, giving the Okanagan community a slight lead.

Organizers said there was a surge of donations in both communities in answer to a late-September appeal to Canadians to donate blood immediately to increase the critically low inventory.

"While we've seen a great response from Prince George residents, the need for blood donations continues," said CBS Prince George manager Amy Erickson.

"IDFL this year has become more than a local blood drive contest against Kelowna. It's now also a call to action for as many Canadians as possible to donate and to encourage their friends and family to donate to help increase the national blood supply. Not just now, but on a regular basis going forward."

The city that collects the most blood donations by Oct. 30 will be declared the winner.

Located at 2277 Westwood Dr., the Prince George clinic is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday every four weeks from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To book a donation appointment visit blood.ca or call 1-888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).