The London Health Sciences Centre is the champion of the Canadian Blood Services Hospital Challenge, collecting more donations than any other in the region. The LHSC collected 109 units of blood between June and July, more than double the amount donated by the hospital in second place. The hospital also had the highest number of first time donors, with 15 people making the decision to give blood for the first time. The challenge is meant to fill the gap left by regular donors who vacation during the summer months. The LHSC has both trauma and cancer programs, which use high volumes of blood. “As health-care providers, LHSC has an imperative to help maintain a stable blood supply,” says Vice President of Patient-Centred Care Carol Young-Ritchie. “I am proud and appreciative of all those staff, physicians and volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to donate. Their support for this vital community service is one more way LHSC continues to provide exceptional experiences for our patients.” It can take up to 50 donors to help one person who has been in a car crash and up to five donors for someone being treated for cancer.
Blood donated during a blood donation clinic in Chatham-Kent (Photo by Jake Kislinsky)
