Even people ineligible to donate blood for any reason can help to increase the vital supply, says Courtney Cail.

The fourth-year biology student is president of the Young Blood Club, which encourages participation in the donor clinics of Canadian Blood Services.

“The need for blood is so high right now,” Cail says. “We’re having problems meeting hospital demand.”

Because she is unable to give blood herself for medical reasons, she says, she recruits. “I want people to donate on my behalf.”

The club has organized a prize raffle for Tuesday’s campus clinic. Up for grabs is a gift basket with bath products and chocolates. Each donor will receive a ballot for the draw, and so will each person who brings in a first-time donor.

The clinic runs 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, in the CAW Student Centre’s Ambassador Auditorium. Walk-in donors are welcome; to book an appointment, visit the Web site of Canadian Blood Services or phone 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Learn more about the Young Blood Club on its Facebook page.