Most of the people who booked appointments for the Ron Dunkley Memorial Blood Donor Clinic showed up to donate.

That’s not the general pattern for mobile blood donor clinics, which often see many appointments broken.

But the second annual clinic on Dec. 13 once again brought out many, some who knew the late Langley City firefighter who died in early 2011 and some who didn’t but wanted to support the cause.

“This is amazing,” Ron’s mom, Sandy said of the busy clinic.

Sandy, 67, and Gene, 70, know now, having lived through the tragedy of their son’s injury and death two months later, the incalculable value of blood donation.

“We would not have had an extra 60 days with Ron if people hadn’t donated,” she said.

Unable to donate last year, the Dunkleys obtained medical clearance to donate this year.

The strong public response meant the clinic achieved its goal, which is vital during the Christmas holidays when blood demand is high but donations decline.

Sandy said she was surprised because donating was so easy. The process takes about an hour including paperwork and a rest and snack after, with the actual time hooked up to the needle a short part of the clinic visit.

“I can honestly say now, if you’ve got blood to give, do it,” Sandy said while in the chair, with her blood filling a donation bag. “You are saving people’s lives.”

City firefighters used the clinic’s occasion to present the family with a special framed firefighter badge and Frostings Cupcakery made a firefighter cake for the family and cupcakes for donors, clinic staff and volunteers.