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Saanich firefighters giving blood, joining West Kelowna wildfire battle

Blood drive sparked by member needing multiple transfusions
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Members of the Saanich Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation have made 50 donations already this month at Canadian Blood Services. (SFD Charitable/Instagram)

Saanich firefighters have banded together to help one of their local colleagues as well as those in Kelowna.

The Saanich Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation is in the midst of a life-saving blood drive after one of its members found himself in need.

The member recently had a medical emergency requiring multiple blood transfusions.

“It inspired us to give back and thank those who already did their part to save him,” the foundation wrote in an Instagram post.

So far this month, foundation members have made 50 donations – and counting – at Canadian Blood Services, which has a location in Saanich.

“We encourage everyone to get out and donate because you never know when one of your loved ones may need their life saved.”

Saanich firefighters also jumped at the opportunity to aid their colleagues in Kelowna and West Kelowna.

The Saanich Fire Department assembled a crew and pumper truck Friday morning to assist with the wildfire efforts.

Strong winds Thursday (Aug. 17) sparked visible growth to the large McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, pushing the blaze over the crest across Lake Okanagan.

A local state of emergency was declared Thursday for the City of West Kelowna and part of the nearby Westbank First Nation. As of Friday morning, an estimated 2,462 properties were under evacuation order and 4,801 properties were under evacuation alert.

ALSO READ: West Kelowna inferno crests over ridge; community on high alert

ALSO READ: Lake Okanagan Resort burns due to wildfire



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