Canadians have the power to give life this holiday season

Wrap It Up Red
#GiveLife
I Gave Life

Wrap It Up Red this holiday season with new ‘I Gave Life’ bandages

(OTTAWA) - Starting today, blood donors will get special new bandages for giving life. It’s part of the Wrap It Up Red campaign encouraging Canadians to #GiveLife this holiday season.

Blood donors will have their arms “wrapped in red” as all blood donor clinics will permanently replace regular bandages with the new ‘I Gave Life’ red bandages.

“The new bandage is an opportunity for donors to show that they gave life and encourage others to join the movement, “ says Mark Donnison, vice-president, donor relations. “Each blood donation has the potential to give life this holiday season. For hospital patients and their families, there is no better gift.”

The idea for the new bandage grew from the many images of proud donors who were already showcasing their bandages as a badge of honour.

Mayors across the country will also be participating in Canadian Blood Services’ Wrap It Up Red campaign. Mayors will be showing their support for blood, stem cell, cord blood and organ and tissue donation by sharing with residents on social media, reading proclamations, donating blood and participating at clinic and community events.

“Collecting blood during the holiday season can be challenging as many donors are traveling or busy with family,” says Donnison. “The Wrap It Up Red campaign reminds donors that by taking just one hour out of their schedule this December, they are helping to ensure other families are able to spend time with their loved ones.”

For Canadians not eligible to donate blood, there are other ways to give life this holiday season:

  • Register with the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network
  • Register as an organ and tissue donor with your provincial authority
  • Consider donating cord blood to the national public cord blood bank

Quick Facts:

  • Approximately 1 in 2 Canadians are eligible to give blood. Last year, 1 in 60 Canadians actually did.
  • Canadian Blood Services needs about 170,000 additional donors per year to maintain the national blood supply.
  • At any given time there are hundreds of Canadians searching for a stem cell donor.
  • More than 4,500 people are waiting for organ transplants in Canada today; however, only a fraction of Canadians are registered to donate.

This December, more than 125,000 appointments will need to be filled. To book an appointment, download the GiveBlood app or visit blood.ca.