Vancouver man holds birthday party at blood clinic
Canadian Blood Services says only four per cent of Canadians regulary donate blood
The results are in for the first Michael Downie Birthday Blood Bash Bleed-out, and the 26-year-old birthday boy himself won the top prize for fastest blood donation, clocking in at 4 minutes and 24 seconds.
The CBC's Deborah Goble reports that the time is Downie's personal best.
The Vancouver man, a regular at blood donation clinics, said a number of his friends were squeamish first-timers, but everyone put on a brave face, and a competitive spirit, to join him at the clinic for his birthday.
There were prizes for best costume, highest iron level and, of course, fastest pint.
Michael told CBC News he has never needed blood, nor has anyone else in his family: He just thought giving blood would be a good thing to do on his birthday.
With files from the CBC's Deborah Goble