Canadian Blood Services and area Religious Leaders Launch “In Good Faith” Blood Donor Week July 12-16
First campaign of its kind in Canada supported by local leaders from Anglican, Catholic, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Christian Orthodox communities

Ottawa, July 12, 2004 – Ottawa’s religious leaders join Canadian Blood Services today to encourage people of all faiths to donate blood during a week long blood drive taking place from July 12-16.

The campaign, the first of its kind in Canada, is being championed by leaders from the Anglican (Bishop Peter Coffin), Catholic (Archbishop Marcel Gervais), Hindu (Pandit Madhu Sahasrabudhe), Jewish (Rabbi Reuven Bulka), Muslim (Imam Gamal Solaiman) and Christian Orthodox (Father Ghattas Hajal) communities.

Over 200 congregations in the Ottawa area have been invited to participate by donating at one of the many blood donor clinics being held across the city during “In Good Faith” Blood Donor Week.

“This initiative is another step forward in our partnership with many of the faith leaders in Ottawa and their congregants,” said Elaine Senack, Regional Director of Canadian Blood Services in Ottawa. “We are hoping that members of the religious community will step forward to put their faith into action by rolling up their sleeves at area clinics during this important week long blood drive.”

Rabbi Reuven Bulka, Chair of the National Capital Interfaith Working Group that initiated what is now called the Interfaith project last fall, is a long-time donor and passionate advocate for blood donation.

“Members of the National Capital Interfaith Working Group have been working with Canadian Blood Services over the last nine months to increase the number of donors in the Ottawa area,” said Rabbi Bulka. “In Good Faith Blood Donor Week is an opportunity for members of the faith community to again demonstrate their support for this important community initiative and help save lives.”

Canadian Blood Services hopes to host three “In Good Faith” Blood Donor Weeks each year, corresponding with periods of decreased donations. The inaugural blood drive takes place July 12-16. The summer is often a difficult time for the blood system with donations traditionally decreasing because people are away on holidays or busy with family activities. This week long blood drive will help ensure that the demand for blood is met this summer, and that patients in area hospitals receive the blood and blood products they need.

Recent polling suggests that even though nearly 30 out of every 100 eligible Canadians say they intend to donate blood within the next year, the reality is that less than four of them will do so. The same Ipsos-Reid survey also showed a disparity between perception and reality when it comes to the number of blood donors in Canada. When asked, most believe that a quarter (26%) of Canadians donate blood each year. The reality is that only 3.7% of Canadians donate on an annual basis. “In Good Faith” Blood Donor Week (July 12-16) is just one of many partnerships being developed by Canadian Blood Services and community partners to increase the number of individuals in Canada that donate blood on a regular basis.

Area congregations are encouraged to become involved in this effort. If you would like to donate blood, or feel your congregation could help, please call Canadian Blood Services at 1 888 2 DONATE (1888 236-6283).

Launch Event:
Monday, July 12
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Canadian Blood Services - Head Office
1800 Alta Vista Drive
Ontario Room

Donor Clinic:
Monday, July 12
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Canadian Blood Services - Head Office
1800 Alta Vista Drive
Atrium

Members of the Media Room are invited to attend. A light lunch will be provided.

Background on the Interfaith Project

Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the blood supply in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec and the Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry. Canadian Blood Services operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 15,000 donor clinics annually. The Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.bloodservices.ca.

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