TEMISKAMING SHORES (Staff) – Canadian Blood Services is urging South Temiskaming residents to roll up their sleeves and give.

It has expanded its next blood clinic, to be held July 11 and 12 at Riverside Place in New Liskeard, to two days in an effort to accommodate donors.

It’s being held in honour of Nicki Galley.

The Temiskaming Shores woman was seriously injured three years ago when the motorcycle on which she was a passenger struck a bear on Highway 65 West.

She knows she received at least seven transfusions of blood products – five upon arriving at Health Sciences North in Sudbury, and another two at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.

The lower part of her left leg was amputated, and she underwent five surgeries in total and months of physical rehabilitation.

“Nicki has recently completed a 5K (kilometre) run thanks to her determination, excellent health care professionals, and the units of blood she received from generous donors,” said Joanne Drake, territory manager with Canadian Blood services, in a statement.

Drake said one in two Canadians will need blood at some point in their lives, yet fewer than four per cent of the population are donors.

“The need for blood has been upgraded to critical and on behalf of hospital patients, we are asking all eligible residents of New Liskeard to roll up their sleeves to donate blood.”

The clinic runs July 11 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and July 12 from noon to 3 p.m.

To book an appointment, go to www.blood.ca.