Sudbury, Ontario

Sudbury’s Local Emergency First Response Units
Stress the Importance of Giving Blood

On Monday, August 12, Canadian Blood Services in Sudbury launched its 2nd Annual “Sirens for Life” Challenge in partnership with local Emergency First Response Units.

Members from the Greater Sudbury Police and Fire Services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Greater Sudbury Emergency Medical Services were present at the launch.

The “Sirens for Life” Challenge was developed to create a competition between these groups with the goal of recruiting new donors. It was also initiated to create awareness throughout the community.

“We’re trying to bring all the emergency departments in the Sudbury area together to raise awareness in the community about the need for blood,” said Sue Blasutti, Centre Director.

At the mid-way point of the challenge, Police Chief Ian Davidson recruited 12 police officers to come in and donate. This recruitment initiative gave the Greater Sudbury Police Services the lead and helped them win the awards for “Recruiting the Greatest Number of Donors” and for “Recruiting the most first-time donors”. “We come across accident scenes and all manner of human trauma in which people do require blood immediately,” said Police Chief Ian

Davidson. “When EMS workers transport people to the hospital, there has to be a solid bank of blood to save lives…We see there is a significant need and any way we can help is beneficial.”

This challenge has been growing in reputation on a yearly basis. This year, “Sirens for Life” added the Ministry of Natural Resources to its roster. And they are ready for the challenge! During the launch, first-time donor Chris Page rolled up his sleeves and helped his team in the competition.

Between August 12 and August 23, 63 employees from local Emergency First Response Units either donated themselves or recruited someone to donate for them.

Certificates were awarded to:

• The Greater Sudbury Emergency Medical Services for “Increasing its percentage of donors over 2001”
• The Ontario Provincial Police for “The most repeat donors”
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police for “The greatest percentage of donors” and for “The most colourful mascot”
• The Greater Sudbury Fire Services for “Being the most photogenic”
• The Ministry of Natural Resources for “Participating in its 1st “Sirens for Life” Challenge”

Winnipeg, Manitoba


Winnipeg's two top radio stations brought their considerable influence to bear as Canadian Blood Services in Winnipeg put out the call for blood donors in advance of the May long weekend.

CJOB, the long-standing AM radio leader in Winnipeg, and Power 97, the city's top-rated FM outlet, teamed up with CBS in encouraging blood donations.

In the days leading up to the May 16 clinic, both stations aired extensive advertising and a series of strong public service announcements in support of the clinic. Their editorial departments chipped in with news stories about the upcoming event.

On the morning of Donor Day, Brian Barkley, CJOB's popular traffic reporter, visited the clinic and donated blood --- managing to file a traffic report while in the process of donating! Barkley's actual donation time was six minutes!


Not to be outdone, Jim Jones, Power 97's mid-day host, picked up the challenge and made his first-ever donation. Jones, while thrilled that the process was so simple and painless, was a bit disappointed that his actual donation time was seven minutes, thus conceding bragging rights to Barkley.

Jones, however, was happy to learn that his blood type was very much in demand. He has vowed to donate again in the future.

In all, 91 donors visited the special clinic, giving a much-needed boost to blood inventory in the days surrounding the long weekend.