Posted on Monday June 16, 2014
Durham – The province-wide hospital blood donation challenge is back and Lakeridge Health is looking for the community to help defend its title.
“As a team, we love a good challenge, especially if it can help save the lives of the people who come through our doors each day,” says Kevin Empey, Lakeridge Health President and CEO. “Giving blood is quick, easy and each donation of blood can save up to three lives.”
Hospitals across Ontario are being asked by Canadian Blood Services 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.
Last year, Lakeridge Health staff, doctors, volunteers and their families donated almost twice the amount of second place Sick Kids to finish far ahead of larger Toronto hospitals like St. Michael’s, Toronto General, Princess Margaret and Mount Sinai.
This is the second year Lakeridge Health has participated in the challenge and it has launched an internal campaign that includes hosting an on-site clinic in Oshawa on Tuesday June 24 and promoting clinics across Durham Region.
Anyone can give blood and have their donation count towards Lakeridge Health’s total. Just call 1-888-2-DONATE and tell Canadian Blood Services you are donating for Lakeridge Health when you sign up for an appointment at the Lakeridge Health clinic on June 24 or any other community clinic.
Quick Facts:
- Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood.
- A cancer patient may require up to five blood donations a week while undergoing treatment.
- A person in a car accident may require as many as 50 units of blood, which is the equivalent of 50 people donating blood.
