National Blood Donor Week : Recipients Thank Blood Donors
Québec City, June 8, 2015 – Recipients of blood products are taking the opportunity of National Blood Donor Week (June 8–14) to thank those who, rain or shine, roll up their sleeves to save the lives of others. Each year, some 500,000 blood products are delivered to Québec hospitals to meet the needs of sick patients. More than 325,000 donor visits to blood drives and the efforts of close to 16,000 volunteers contribute to achieving this mission.
A vital contribution to maintaining the collective blood supply
Each minute, a blood product is used in the health system in Québec. The demand for blood products is determined by the changing condition of patients. As a result, Héma-Québec must quickly adapt its supply to meet these ever-changing needs. It is able to do so, in large measure, thanks to the generosity and ongoing commitment of its donors and volunteers. Thank you for your steadfast support of blood donation.
Giving blood is an act of generosity that transforms the life of those who receive it. The story of 32-year-old Caroline Joubert is a moving example. “Although I experienced a difficult pregnancy with my second child and underwent a caesarean section, nothing could have prepared me for the severe hemorrhaging that followed. The four blood transfusions that I received saved my life. Today I am much more aware of the need for blood donation. Anyone can need blood at any time,” says this mother from Quebec City.
It should be remembered that one blood donation can save several lives and a donor can give blood every 56 days or six times a year. Only 3% of eligible Quebecers, however, make a blood donation every year.
Summer Campaign
This week, Héma-Québec is launching its summer campaign under the theme “Let’s GO” to encourage Quebecers to give blood as a group, as a family or with friends. French TV hosts Pierre-Yves Lord and Mélanie Maynard, Olympic skiers the Dufour-Lapointe sisters, the musical group Simple Plan and English TV hosts Alexandre Despatie and Joanne Vrakas have all come onboard to support the cause by reminding everyone, in their own way, of the importance of giving blood for the community as a whole. Look for some of them on advertising billboards here and there around the province, in several daily newspapers and on our social media pages and Web site. Be sure to listen to some others on the radio between June 8 and 14.
Upcoming Blood Drives
For a list of dates of upcoming blood drives in your region, go to Héma-Québec’s Web site at www.hema-quebec.qc.ca or call 1 800 343-7264.
About Héma-Québec
Héma-Québec’s mission is to efficiently meet the needs of the Québec population for safe, optimal-quality blood and blood products, human tissues, cord blood, mother’s milk and cellular products; and to develop and provide expertise and specialized, innovative services in the field of human biological products. Héma-Québec encompasses 1,300 employees, over 300,000 donor visits to blood drives per year, 16,000 volunteers and more than 500,000 blood products delivered annually to Québec hospitals to meet the needs of patients.
Give blood. Give life.
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Source and information:
Héma-Québec
Media line | 514-832-0871
www.hema-quebec.qc.ca