Easter Blood Drive

Ottawa & across Canada

March 23rd – 30th

There is an urgent need for blood donors. You can make a difference.

Did you know…

On average, every 60 seconds someone in Canada needs blood. 1 in 2 people are eligible to donate blood, plasma, and platelets, but only 1 in 81 does. How about you?

BE A BLOOD DONOR

Why Should I Give? CHRI interview with Canadian Blood Services

Learn how you can overcome the barriers to giving

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Blood PLASMA? Another Way You Can Help Save Lives

Canadian Blood Services explains the emerging priority of blood plasma

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Our Sponsors:

Join our Easter Blood Drive in 4 Steps:

STEP 1:

Create or Sign in to your personal donor account with Canadian Blood Services on your computer (BUTTON BELOW) or on your mobile device through the GiveBlood app for Apple or Android.

STEP 2:

In your account, click on the “Join a Team” button. Type in and/or select the “Easter Blood Drive” team. This way, any donation of blood products you make will count towards the Easter Blood Drive team goal.

STEP 3:

Book your appointment to donate blood or plasma or platelets. While our campaign is focused on the Holy Week of Easter (March 23-30), you can donate anytime that is convenient for you.

STEP 4:

Share your contact information with your Easter Blood Drive champion for future contact.

For church leaders and champions, please encourage your congregation to participate by donating blood products, time, and/or money, and through prayer. Please help to promote in your church and in your sphere of influence.

If you have questions about the Easter Blood Drive, please use the “Contact Us” tab.

If you have questions about how to give blood or plasma, or eligibility, please consult the Canadian Blood Services website by clicking HERE.

CREATE OR SIGN IN TO YOUR ACCOUNT WITH CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES

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We believe that God wants us to respond to this emerging critical need in the society by mobilizing churches, family and friends to donate to Canadian Blood Services.

Jesus shed His blood for us, and now it is our turn, in appreciation of His sacrifice.

Blood

It is a central concept in our Christian faith. We are especially mindful of it at Easter when we reflect on the suffering and death of our Saviour Jesus: “In him we have redemption through his blood” (Ephesians 1:7).

Medical Needs

It is also a key medical need. You do not have to look far, perhaps in your own family, to find someone who needed blood during a health crisis. It may have even saved their life.

Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) of Ottawa has recently been appealing for help to rebuild its donor base for blood and blood products.

Organized By

The Easter Blood Drive volunteer team in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and sponsored by CHRI Christian Radio and Love Ottawa.

Join our Easter Blood Drive by registering through the Canadian Blood Services

REGISTER HERE

Find out more how you or your group can participate

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Why should Christians get involved?

Blood donation has practical and theological significance for us as Christians. Jesus shed His blood for us some 2000 years ago. This is now our turn, in response to His love for us, especially during Easter. The precarious blood supply situation will endanger those of us who need blood transfusion, especially in critical moments. Blood donation shows our love from God to our fellow citizens.

2. If someone, or an entire church, wants to get involved how do they do so?

Individuals must set up a blood donor account on the Canadian Blood Services website. Using this link will help connect them to the Easter Blood Drive team: https://myaccount.blood.ca/en/join-team/ONEW0108432.

They can confirm that they are registered with the Easter Blood Drive by clicking on the “Join a Team” button in their account and typing in “Easter Blood Drive”. Once registered, their donation of blood or blood products will count towards the campaign team goal.

Churches can request a block of appointments, (e.g. Saturday, March 23, 10:30 am – 11:30 AM) by contacting the organizers at info@easterblooddrive.ca.

3. How many churches do you hope to involve?

The goal is to mobilize as many churches as possible. This is because the need is great, and yet the ability of the church to respond to this great need is even greater, since God is great. The idea is to make it annual, during the month of Easter. In fact, donors can donate at any time. Thanksgiving is another good moment to donate collectively.

4. What would you say to someone who asks why Christians should get involved in this initiative?

Blood is essential to life. Without it, one would die. It is good for Christians to contribute, if possible, to strengthen the blood supply system in society, to reflect God’s love. One also hears of the medical benefits of donating; for example, someone was told not to donate due to low iron level. Further investigation showed that he has Celiac disease, something that he would not have realized if not for his attempt to give blood. Christians should get involved, even if health conditions may not be ideal. Candian Blood Services says that one could also donate financially, and/or volunteer their time to serve at the donation centre.

5. Do people have to be screened? If so how?

To ensure the high quality of blood supply in Canada, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) follows strict guidelines. Various factors can determine whether a person can donate, including age, weight, medications, medical conditions, pregnancy, travel, etc. There are lots of legitimate reasons why one should not donate blood. There are health requirements for blood donors. For example, a hepatitis B or C carrier can not donate. Other conditions, such as a previous Malaria infection, may put restrictions on the acceptable types of donation. Please read the CBS donation guideline for more details (https://www.blood.ca/en/blood/am-i-eligible-donate-blood).

6. What promotions are you asking the churches to do?

Promote the campaign, and share the vision that the church as the body of Christ can indeed contribute to the critical needs of society.

Canadian Blood Services staff can also come into churches to speak, and/or set up info tables. Contact info@easterblooddrive.ca for more information and help if needed.

7. Can someone contribute to this campaign outside of Ottawa?

Yes, and definitely. First, for those living in rural areas nearby, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) has a mobile blood donation clinic that travels to specific locations on a regular schedule. One can find out the schedule of this clinic to mobilize an entire church community to donate. Second, for those residing in other cities like Toronto, Vancouver, etc, they can simply register with CBS through the Partners for Life portal of the CBS, and then join our Easter blood drive team. Note that they would not see the donation spots for the Ottawa blood centre. They would need to book spots available in their local blood donation centres.

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