This week is National Blood Donor Week. But if you want to donate blood, you will need to go to Kelowna to do so, as that’s the closest place to donate.
A group called Our Blood Counts is calling on people and organizations across Northern British Columbia to support for a future Canadian Blood Services donor centre in our region. The initiative aims to showcase the strong, stable donor base that is ready to support the return of blood donation services to Northern BC.
“Participating organizations can indicate their willingness to join the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program should a donor centre be established here in the North. The program helps organizations promote blood donation, set donation goals, and foster a culture of community service among employees, members, and volunteers,” says Mark Karjaluoto, Chair of the group.
“When I worked in healthcare, I saw firsthand how Partners for Life inspired our people to make lifesaving donations,” said Karjaluoto. “Support from employers and community organizations across Northern BC will further demonstrate the region’s readiness to support a future Canadian Blood Services donor centre and our commitment to helping all Canadians who need blood for their care.”
The campaign to return blood donation services to Northern BC has continued to gain momentum. Over the past year, support for the petition at www.ourbloodcounts.com has grown to more than 4,250 signatures.
Endorsements have also come from 33 organizations and elected officials, including local governments, First Nations, regional districts, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, health organizations, and healthcare labour unions. Karjaluoto says the Peace River Regional District is a supporter, and they have recently sent a letter to the District asking for their support.
“Northern BC is motivated to support Canadian Blood Services’ goal of recruiting one million new blood donors by 2030 while helping reduce Canada’s dependence on blood plasma products sourced from the United States,” said Irina Doering, Vice-Chair of Our Blood Counts and a recipient of lifesaving blood donations. “A donor centre would give people across our Northern region the opportunity to contribute, supported by our petition and letters of endorsement. The North is ready to roll up our sleeves!”
Inspired by the success of the Thunder Bay, Ontario plasma donor centre, Our Blood Counts is advocating for a made-in-the-North model grounded in regional collaboration and informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and being. A plasma donor centre would help Canada reduce its reliance on imported plasma-based medicines. Canada depends on the United States for 70 per cent of some immune globulin therapies used to support patient care.
Our Blood Counts is a Northern BC volunteer advocacy group working to restore blood donation services to the region and support Canada’s efforts to build a stronger, more self-sufficient blood and plasma supply.
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
