WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

MPP Anand’s forty-third Members’ Statement was on the topic of “World Blood Donor Day”, delivered on 14 June 2021.

Over the last few months, while hard-working Ontarians across the province have been rolling up their sleeves to receive the vaccine, many of them have also been rolling up their sleeves for an equally important life-saving reason. June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, a day to raise awareness about the truly life-saving gift of blood donation.

While roughly half of all Canadians are eligible, only 2% actually donate blood. This means Ontario has to rely for up to 83% of our plasma needs on paid donors in the US and across the world. To keep up with the growing demand for blood, Canada needs around 100,000 more donors every year.

As hospitals ramp up elective surgeries, it is clear that we need more and more neighbourhood heroes to roll up their sleeves and donate blood. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I’m thrilled to share that my office will be organizing a community blood drive in my riding of Mississauga–Malton on June 16 and 23. I encourage every member of the community to make a difference. Let’s keep the world beating.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank staff and volunteers at Canadian Blood Services for their hard work and advocacy. Thank you for connecting patients with the gift of life. And to each and every single Ontarian who has donated blood: Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stepping up and saving lives.

With that, Mr. Speaker, happy World Blood Donor Day.