Chilliwack blood donors deserve a huge pat on the back.
The In Memory of Penny Lett blood drive has not only reached its 2014 goal of 500 units of blood, it has surpassed it.
As of Nov. 10, a total of 631 units of blood have been collected by blood donors who signed up to be part of Team Penny through Canadian Blood Services Partners For Life program.
Not only that, but the blood drive is currently the second largest in the B.C. and Yukon region. Team Penny is behind only Sikh Nation which has collected 1,096 units of blood.
The blood drive was created last year in memory of late former Progress reporter, Penny Lett. An avid donor herself, Lett gave a total of 125 units of blood before passing away in the spring of last year.
Last year's goal was to match Lett's donations by collecting 125 units of blood. A whopping 420 units were collected. This year, the goal was quadrupled.
Progress photojournalist, Jenna Hauck who started the In Memory of Penny Lett blood drive, received a national award in September from Canadian Blood Services for the success of the blood drive in its inaugural year.
Those wishing to join Team Penny to make their blood donations from 2014 count towards the goal, can sign up online at www.blood.ca/en/blood/how-do-i-join-team. Under "I have my Partner ID", click "register as a member online". The partner ID is INME013882.
Or, you can call 1-888-2-DONATE and use the partner ID number.
Donations from Team Penny will continue to be collected and counted until the end of the calendar year.
Read the Progress for further updates.