Over nearly a year of treatment for cancer, the youngster received 84 “pokes,” her mother, Pamela, noted as the two helped launch this year’s campaign Friday during a kickoff event at Pine Centre Mall.

That’s a sight more than the 14 that even the most dedicated of blood donors will contend with over a year – one in the finger to test their blood for iron and then one to make the donation during each of the seven times they can show up at the clinic over a 12-month-span.

“Many people say they’re afraid of needles,” Saulters said in response to one of the more common excuses people use for not giving blood.

“Children are afraid of hospitals. Children are afraid of doctors. Children are afraid of surgery, nurses, chemotherapy and radiation. Children are afraid of being away from home. Children are afraid of being sick. Please ensure our children are not afraid of running out of life-saving blood.”

The Interior Drive for Life is a friendly eight-week competition between Prince George and Kelowna to see which city is best at meeting and exceeding its targets. Prince George will have 18 clinic days to collect 1,152 donations and bring in 230 new donors and Kelowna has 28 days to get 1,792 donations and bring in 368 new donors.