17,000 Volunteers are Partners in Saving Lives

Canadian Blood Services says “thanks” during National Volunteer Week

Ottawa, ON (Monday, April 22, 2013) – As our nation celebrates National Volunteer Week (April 22 - 27), Canadian Blood Services thanks the 17,000 volunteers who dedicated 215,000 hours of their time in the last year to help support Canada’s blood system.

“Our volunteers are our unsung heroes,” says Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services. “A smile, warm greeting, or helping hand is something to be celebrated every day. The time they give is truly a gift, and one that enriches us as a national health care organization and why we are becoming a trusted healthcare partner.”

Last year, Canadian Blood Services collected nearly one million units of whole blood, plasma and platelets to meet the needs of patients across the country. Volunteers are instrumental in helping to ensure clinics and events are successful and truly have a hand in saving lives.

Nation-wide, our volunteers are involved and leading positive change in a variety of ways, all of them vital. They coordinate and host blood donor clinics, greet and assist donors, promote key campaigns throughout the year as well as raise awareness in their communities about the need for blood and stem cell donation.

Visit our volunteer Thank You video on YouTube (also available in French). To find out more about volunteer opportunities at Canadian Blood Services, please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or visit www.blood.ca.

- 30 -