During the holidays, share a unique gift! Give blood. Give life.

Montreal, November 30, 2007 –Under the theme “Share a unique gift. Give blood. Give life,” Héma-Québec's holiday season campaign will take place from December 1, 2007 to January 6, 2008. This is why Héma-Québec and its community partners will be active throughout Québec to give everyone the opportunity to share this gift of life.

This year, why not share your good health with people who are less fortunate? There is no need to go broke to offer this most priceless gift: it’s free! Each blood donation can help save up to four lives.

"During this cheerful period when everything goes faster, let's take a moment to slow down our activities in order to have thoughts for the sick, who rely on donors' generosity all year long." reminded Dr. Francine Décary, Héma-Québec's President and Chief Executive Officer.

During this period, Héma-Québec will visit several cities throughout the province to hold more than one hundred blood drives. Quebecers are invited to participate in large numbers! The blood drive list is available on Héma-Québec’s website at: www.hema-quebec.qc.ca.

For thousands of people, blood transfusion is a life-saving adjuvant treatment. Every 80 seconds, someone needs blood in Québec. To meet the needs of hospitals, at least 1,000 blood donations are required every day. This goal is a daily challenge for Héma-Québec and its partners, as only 3% of Quebecers are blood donors. And since blood components obtained from blood donations are perishable products, donations made during the holidays are crucial to maintain the collective blood supply at an optimal level.

Héma-Québec would like to remind the public that any healthy person aged 18 years and older who meets eligibility criteria can give blood every 56 days, namely six times per year.

For questions about the eligibility criteria for donating blood, you can call 1-800-847-2525 or visit Héma-Québec’s website.

-30-

Source:

Valérie Legault
Public Affairs Coordinator
Héma-Québec
Media line: 514-832-0871