We know you are generous with your time, money 4 and resources. You volunteer with nonâ€"profit organiâ€" 2 zation, lend a hand at events around town and donate funds and gifts in kind to deserving charities. 9 your contributions don‘t go unnoticed. 5 Simply flip through the pages of this newspaper and =# you‘ll find proof of your good work or that of your neighbour. Your involvement also goes a long way in £ helping the organizations that support those in need 3 in our community. 5 While we commend you for your kindness, generosity and selflessness, we would like to take this opportuniâ€" § ty to encourage you to give more of yourself in 2016. ‘@ The need for blood and blood products is never endâ€" ‘z ing. Yet, finding new blood donors can prove chalâ€" lenging for the nonâ€"profit organization tasked with managing the nation‘s supply of blood, blood prodâ€" ucts and stem cells. According to Canadian Blood Services, roughly 100,000 new donors are needed every year to meet the demand for blood and blood products. Findâ€" ing new Oâ€"negative donors is of highest importance because it is the only type compatible with all other N CHAMPION | Thursday, February 11, 2016 | 6 <2" blood types. Because of this compatibility factor, Oâ€"negative blood is used by hospitals during some of the most critical situations, such as motor vehicle collisions. When seconds count, emergency healthâ€"care profesâ€" sionals turn to its supply of Oâ€"negative blood to help patients whose lives are on the line. Approximately 12 per cent of all blood units sent to hospitals are of the Oâ€"negative variety. Yet, only 7 per cent of the Canadian population has Oâ€"negative blood. According to Canadian Blood Services, only 41,000 of the organization‘s 410,000 active donors are Oâ€"negaâ€" tive. A little help from you could boost that number to 50,000, effectively increasing the Oâ€"negative blood supply pool. Although Canadian Blood Services is focused on inâ€" creasing its number of Oâ€"negative donors, it is acceptâ€" ing donations from all blood types because the need for blood is that great. Right now, somewhere in Canada, someone needs a blood transfusion to survive. If that person was inâ€" volved in a car crash, up to 50 units of blood may be required to save their life. If they are battling leukeâ€" mia, they might require eight units of blood per week. That someone could be you. Blood, as the slogan goes, is in you to give. So, why not roll up your sleeve and give the gift of life. The next donation clinic in Milton is slated for next Thursday (February 18). The clinic has a 96â€"unit tarâ€" get. It runs from 2 until 7 p.m. at New Life Church, 824 Thompson Rd. South. for n.won.e information on blood donation and eligibilâ€" ity criteria, visit www.blood.ca. WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY: Champion reader Elizabeth Norrington snapped this creative photo, featuring the reflection of the Glen Eden ski hill in the window of the Alexander Log Cabin. Do you have an interesting, fun or cute photo taken in Milton that you would like to submit to be considered for Snapshot? Send submissions (minimum 600 KB resoution) to editor@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Please include the name of the photographer; a description of the photo, including where it was taken. Visibility vital out there, folks Laziness is someâ€" * thing _ we _ all embrace at one point or another, yours truly inâ€" cluded. But that should never apply to our safety â€" and that of others. Sadly, that‘s ofâ€" ten the case at this time of year. On my brief fiveâ€" minute commute in to work Tuesday morning, | spotted three motorists who‘d cleared the bare minimum of snow from their vehicles, just enough to see straight ahead. Such a narrow scope of visibility is espeâ€" cially dangerous when â€" as | was â€" drivâ€" ing down a twisting stretch of road like the northern part of Bronte Street. Headlights had also not been scraped, leaving a diminished chance of me and others to see these cars at the still fairly Steve LeBlanc News/Sports Editor dark hour of 7â€"ish. Then there was also a cyclist who, like so many I‘ve seen at the preâ€"dawn or postâ€" dusk hour, besides a slightly illuminated orange hat was dressed in complete black or dark brown â€" leaving him rather difâ€" ficult to spot until you‘re practically on his tail. For the sake of a few extra minutes of scraping or simple change of clothes, these people put themselves and others in harm‘s way. That‘s especially puzzling with regard to the former, since Tuesday‘s snowfall was not expected. Getting up a few minutes early for a proper car clearing could have been easily planned. A safe commute means being able to see clearly, and being seen yourself. We‘ve all got to embrace those realities before heading out on our roadways. Let‘s be safe out there, folks. Steve LeBlanc can be reached at sleblanc@ miltoncanadianchampion.com or on Twitter @MiltonOnSports. l"‘&i"\/v.i';"i“:a. vl:" » 555 Industrial Drive, Milton, Ont. L9T 5E1 905â€"878â€"2341 Advertising Fax: 905â€"876â€"2364 Classified: 905â€"875â€"3300 Circulation: 905â€"878â€"5947 www.miltoncanadianchampion.com VP â€" Group Publisher Neil Oliver Regional General Manager Kelly Montague Director of Advertising Sharlene Thompson Managing Editor Catherine O‘Hara Production Manager Manuel Garcia Circulation Director Charlene Hall Office Manager Lorl Ann Gvozdanovic The Canadian Champion, published every Thursday, is a division of Metroland Media Group Ltd. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. @CGCAB ccas Audited OPC | Ontario Press Council Recognized for excellence by | AOCH& Nempopers Canadiah Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers & of America The Canadian Champion is a proud media sponsor for: Chitd Find MILTON SANTA CLAUS PARADE #CNA Halton Healthcare (‘()\1F‘ AGON Jingle Bell Fund s * um ." UNITED wa e Y i mewss Ees ~ or mtron *~ _ YMCA A aArHENA â€" Awards ‘}3>, «t aig C ud The Oakville. Milton Gala Awards &