Héma-Québec highlights volunteers’ commitment to the cause of blood donation

Montreal, April 20, 2009 – “Volunteering comes in many shapes and forms in the daily operations of an organization like ours. Thousands of volunteers work alongside members of the Héma Québec team, devoting their time, energy and passion to maintaining Quebec’s blood supply. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Héma-Québec could not accomplish its mission without each and every one these people, who make giving blood and giving life possible,” stated Dr. Francine Décary, Héma-Québec President and Chief Executive Officer, to highlight National Volunteer Week 2009.

Héma-Québec would like to take advantage of National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 19-25, to draw attention to the vital role volunteers play in blood donation. Special posters will be on display at blood drives across Quebec to mark this important week.

More than 600 blood donation volunteers are expected to attend two recognition events organized by Héma-Québec in their honour, one in Montreal, today, April 20, and another in Quebec City on Thursday, April 23.

“Thanks to the generosity of volunteers who give blood or organize blood drives, thousands of lives have been improved. Our volunteers deserve all of our gratitude for their commitment to the cause of blood donation,” added Dr. Francine Décary.

Each year, volunteers across Quebec help organize and run every single blood drive by, among other tasks, placing a significant number of the 1.2 million calls made to donors. Notably, nearly 300,000 people gave blood in the last year—a purely voluntary and selfless act.

Héma-Québec is always looking for new volunteers to successfully conduct its blood drives. For more information or to volunteer, call 514 832-5000, extension 162 in the Montreal and Western Quebec region, or 418 780-4362, extension 2245 in the Quebec City and Eastern Quebec region, or visit the “Volunteers” section of Héma-Québec’s website at www.hema-quebec.qc.ca.

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