During medical emergencies or traumatic injuries 14 or more units, or 7.35 litres, of blood are often needed to keep a person alive during surgery. The human body holds 8-12 litres of blood.

By March 10 the country's national blood bank will need over 35,000 people across Canada to donate this life-giving resource. In Manitoba 1,200 people are needed in the same time frame.

Territory Manager Canadian Blood Services Manitoba Steve Raizen says not only is there a need for blood but need for specific blood types.

Blood is broken into a multitude of genetic markers. The four major groups of these genetic markers are classified as type A, B, AB, and O. Subtypes of these genetic markers are the Rhesus (Rh) protein; blood with the protein are known as Rh positive, those without Rh negative.

Receiving the correct blood type is vital explains Chief Medical Officer Southern Health Sante-Sud Dr. Denis Fortier. If given the wrong blood type the body will suffer adverse effects.

"If we were to transfuse just any old blood into someone, depending on the genetic makeup of that blood and the blood being put into them, your body could reject it."

Fortier says when a body rejects something it has a severe immune response and can be extremely dangerous. It demonstrates the need for collecting a variety of different blood types.

Dr. Denis Fortier Cheif Medical Officer Southern Health-Santé Sud

Canadian Blood services are especially looking for more people with O Rh-negative blood, as it's the universal donor and can give to all other blood types.

However, since blood is a perishable resource lasting only 45 days in refrigeration, there is always a need for available blood.

With a constant need, Raizen says igniting people's interest in giving blood is crucial. It's also one of the goals of the Partners For Life initiative, which encourages businesses to get involved in the donation process.

"To become engaged, to donate blood as a group, create an awareness for a need for blood donors," Raizen says. "In some communities, we are doing what we call clinic adoption, where they're taking responsibility by filling the appointments at those clinics."

However, he explains donating can be daunting for some people, though the process isn’t something to fear. Raizen notes it doesn't hurt to give blood and from beginning to end doesn't take more than an hour.

Anyone over the age of 17 and in good health can donate, knowing their blood will help save a life.

A donation clinic will open in Morden, March 12, and in Winkler, March 15.

More information on donating blood can be found at blood.ca

Steve Raizen Territory Manager Canadian Blood Services Manitoba