A Christmas tradition brought out many today in communities around the region.

Paul Alexander was part of a strong turnout at the annual Christmas Eve Blood Donor Clinicin Saint John.

He donates platelets.

“My mother went through chemo and she needed platelets,” he explains. “Probably when it dawned on me the importance of it, I had donated whole blood prior to that and switched to platelets then.”

Many cite personal reasons for being at the clinic.

Don Shaw is one of the top donors in the Maritimes, with over 800 donations.

He is repaying a long term debt to a blood donor whose name he will never know.

“Somebody somewhere, 48 years ago, saved my daughters,” he says.

A lot of Maritimers make a stop at the Blood Donor Clinic part of their Christmas tradition.

It’s the time of year when the demand for blood and blood products can take a sudden and unexpected spike.

Linda Richard has taken a break from her job in retail.

She says this is the most relaxing few moments of the moment.

“I try not to miss it at all,” she says. “Where else can you lay back and watch T.V. and get a good meal at the same time? I always look forward to the soup and the coffee.”

Clinics will be closed December 25th and 26th.

Canadian Blood Services is counting on a good turnout when the doors re-open at holiday clinics around the region.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.