A local police officer is taken aback by the amount of community support pouring in for one of their own.
The Chatham-Kent Police Services started an initiative called "Arms out for Andrew" earlier this year as a way of showing support for Constable Andrew Gaiswinkler, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
The initiative encourages people to give blood. At the end of February, a blood drive was held in Chatham but the clinic couldn't accommodate everyone because of the number of people that showed up.
"From the second I walked in the building, there was already a lineup of people waiting for the doors to open and I kind of knew right from that second that it was going to be a really successful event," says Constable Jason Herder. "I was blown away."
Due to the success of the first clinic, the community is once again being encouraged to show support at a second clinic.
Herder says the fact that people have already registered for the second clinic says a lot about the community and local residents.
"I think it says everything about the community that we serve," he says. "We asked for everyone to come together and they did, and I think that speaks volumes about the community of Chatham-Kent."
Gaiswinkler was at the first blood clinic and Herder says the turnout shocked him as well.
"He's very humble but he's very taken aback... and highly thankful for all the efforts made by everyone," he says.
The second blood donor clinic will be held on March 14 at the Spirit of Life Centre in Chatham from 1pm-7pm. People can register online at blood.ca but walk-ins are also welcome.
