Mayor’s blood donor clinic to be held April 27

Mayor Karin Marks is inviting everyone out to Victoria Hall on Friday, April 27 for the annual Mayor’s Blood Donor Clinic.

This year, organizers are hoping to collect at least 110 units, which can potentially benefit 440 individuals in need of blood products. Monklands District Girl Guides have helped put up posters and visit businesses to announce the blood drive. They will also be on hand to assist the Héma-Québec volunteers at the clinic.

Anyone who rides the métro, looks at billboards or watches TV has seen ads for Héma-Québec and knows the impact that a blood donation can have in saving a life. Getting a blood transfusion is not something to wish for but the probability of needing one in a lifetime is 60 per cent. In Canada, organizations like Héma-Quebec ensure that anyone in need of blood receives it. In order to ensure a sufficient supply, 1,000 units a day are required for adequate reserves in Quebec alone.

In Westmount, there are only 326 registered donors out of a population of 20,000. People may be reluctant to give blood from a fear of needles or contracting infections, but the facts will certainly reassure those potential donors. The well-being of the donor and the receiver is of utmost importance and Héma-Québec applies the strictest standards to ensure that no one is at risk.

Travel restrictions to the UK may have kept some Westmounters away in recent years, but these now only apply to the years 1980 to 1996 inclusively. For more information about eligibility, contact Héma-Québec at 1-800-847-2525 or visit their web site at www.hema-quebec.qc.ca .

If you are at least 18 years of age, in good health and have an hour or so of time to spare, you are invited to give the gift of life. It’s in you to give.

The Mayor’s Blood Drive takes place Friday, April 27 from 2 to 8 p.m. in Victoria Hall, 4626 Sherbrooke St. W. Call 514-989-5226 for more information.