Posted on Tuesday September 23, 2014
Durham - - The 4th Annual Canadian Blood Services hospital blood donation challenge has concluded with Lakeridge Health staff, doctors and volunteers donating the most blood of any Ontario hospital for the second year in a row.
“We’re proud to have helped save even more lives this year,” said Lakeridge Health CEO and President Kevin Empey. “The need for blood never stops and this year that message particularly hit home for all of us here at Lakeridge Health.”
Hospitals across Ontario were asked to help boost blood donations between June 1 and July 31, a time when the number of donors typically takes a dip due to the summer vacation season.
This year, Lakeridge Health launched an internal campaign that included:
- Hosting an on-site blood donor clinic at its Oshawa site;
- Promoting clinics across Durham Region;
- And launching a ‘What’s Your Number’ campaign where staff spontaneously shared stories via email about the number of units they’ve donated over the years.
As a result, Lakeridge Health raised a total of 152 units finishing well ahead of a number of large teaching and downtown hospitals.
More than 50 units were raised at a special blood donor clinic held by Emergency Department staff in Oshawa in honour of former long-time colleague, Dr. Jim Shipley. He was seriously injured in an accident on the Canada Day long weekend and is still recovering at St. Michael’s Hospital.
“We are honoured to have an on-going partnership with Lakeridge Health, the continued support that we have had from Lakeridge over the years is amazing, by them winning the challenge over all the other hospitals is just one more example of our successful partnership,” says Melissa Smith-McGuire, Territory Manager for Canadian Blood Services. “Making a blood donation helps ensure an adequate supply for Canadian hospital patients in need.”