Z103.5 Corporate and Community Blood Donor Challenge

Z103.5 and Canadian Blood Services is encouraging you, your friends and your colleagues to donate blood before or immediately following the Canada Day long weekend.

Where: 1940 Gottingen Street in Halifax
When: June 16 to 30

Why: In one hour you can save up to three lives plus every person who walks in the doors of the blood donor clinic will have a chance to win 10 passes for the Z103.5 end of Summer Murphy's on the Water Boat Cruise.

Canadian Blood Services and the IWK Announce Life-Saving Partnership

The IWK Health Centre has made a commitment to help save lives by donating blood as a member of Canadian Blood Services’ "Partners for Life" Program. Employees at the IWK Health Centre work to save lives of women, children and youth every day and now even more lives will be saved by their generosity.

"Partners for Life" is a corporate community program that provides a vital connection between hospital patients and community organizations across the country. As a member of this program, the IWK Health Centre’s almost 3,000 employees, along with their family and friends, have made the commitment to donate blood to help those whose lives depend on blood and blood products.

"Canadian Blood Services is honoured to welcome the IWK to our 'Partners for Life' family," says Peter MacDonald, Director of Donor and Clinic Services, Atlantic. "On average, every 60 seconds someone in Canada requires blood, and since it have a limited shelf life, demand is constant. Every day the IWK serves thousands of Maritime women, children, youth and families and staff see first hand the important role that blood and blood products play to help hospital patients on their road to recovery."

"The IWK is committed to its vision of Healthy Families. The Best Care," says Anne McGuire, President and CEO of the IWK Health Centre. "This partnership with Canadian Blood Services is another way for us to help make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients in our community. We have made a commitment to make 175 donations over the next 12 months, but I am hopeful that we can surpass that number. We are proud to partner with Canadian Blood Services and help meet the growing need for blood and blood products."

From left to right: Kristie Sills, Cirrus Ball (Platelet recipient and former IWK patient), Christopher Ball, Bryce Gibson (IWK and Canadian Blood Services volunteer), Peter MacDonald, Director, Donor & Clinic Services, Atlantic at the launch of the partnership at the Health Centre on April 18th.

800^th Donation

Allan McLeod of Wellington, Nova Scotia makes his 800^th donation at the Canadian Blood Services Blood Donor Clinic at 1940 Gottingen St. in Halifax. McLeod is part of the top five elite donors in Canada who have surpassed the 800 donation mark.

The Canadian Forces, together with Canadian Blood Services launched its annual National fall In Honor "Donate Red" campaign at the Halifax and Region Military Family Resource Centre

Canadian Blood Services, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Legion are encouraging Canadians to donate blood from November 1-30 "in honour" of the men and women who devote themselves to serving in Canada and around the world.

As a National member of the Partner for Life program, the Canadian Forces have pledged to donate blood to help save lives from coast to coast. In Atlantic Canada last year we collected 2,815 units of blood from Canadian Forces members. Those donations went to improving or saving the lives of over 8,000 hospital patients. This year, military Reservists, over 25,000 strong, will make sure that their work in the Canadian Forces and their support of the blood system helps save lives.

People visiting blood donor clinics during the month of November will be able to sign an "in honour card" with personal messages or words of encouragement for Canadian Forces members. These cards will be delivered to military personnel and reserves who, every day, through their actions help save lives. Every donation has the potential to save three lives in Canada.

The 4^th Annual "Investing in Life" Financial Institution Blood Donor Campaign officially kicks off on March 17, 2008.

The following financial institutions in the Atlantic Region have all signed on to save lives and "win" the honour of having the most participation amongst employees, family and friends:

• BMO Bank of Montreal
• Scotiabank
• Atlantic Credit Unions
• TD Canada Trust
• RBC Royal Bank

In 2007 participating financial institutions helped Canadian Blood Services collect 477 units of blood. With each unit saving or improving three lives, this campaign helped over 1,400 hospital patients!

This year's campaign will run from March 17 to May 17, 2008, at all permanent and mobile blood donor clinics across the Atlantic Region. The goal is to collect 500 units. Don't forget to sign-in at the blood donor clinic to make your donation count. We will be relying once again on the generosity of bank and credit union employees, their families and friends to meet our target and save lives while they're doing it.

For information or to book an appointment at a clinic near you, please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

A representative from the financial institution with the highest participation rate will be invited to attend the local annual Honouring Our Lifeblood event held in late spring to receive a certificate of appreciation.