On Thursday people took time to donate blood at the Altona Rhineland Pioneer Centre.

Steve Raizen, Canadian Blood Services Territory Manager, encourages people to donate during the summer.

(Left to right) Canadian Blood Services territory manager Steve Raizen, Altona banking centre leader Lindsay Paracholski, district vice president Narad Persad, and financial advisor Kori da Costa

"There's always a greater need for blood donations in the summer because our donors are off enjoying summer time activities or are away on vacation," said Raizen.

He added there's a need to secure 23,000 donations before Canada Day, to meet hospital supply over the summer.

This is the second year of the Give Life All Summer with CIBC campaign, which adopted 16 blood donor clinics in 10 Manitoba communities. Local banking centres committed to recruit new donors and fill 160 appointments throughout the summer.

"Each banking centre has taken responsibility for 10 appointments and they'll be filling those appointments with staff and customers," Raizen explained.

Narad Persad, CIBC District Vice President, said last year the event was a success.

"We had a goal of generating 150 new blood donors and we came very close to that goal, and this year we're looking for 160 new donors and we're really confident that we're going to reach that goal and surpass it with everybody's help in our communities," said Persad.

He explained new donors are recruited through advertising and word of mouth efforts by staff. Persad believes being part of the campaign is a great way for the organization to give back to their customers' communities.

Upcoming donor clinics include Morden on June 23, Carman on August 10, and monthly clinics in Winkler.