Grand River top hospital for life-saving blood donations in 2017
Posted Jan 6, 2018 05:54:25 AM.
Last Updated Jan 6, 2018 02:38:19 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A big achievement for Grand River Hospital.
GRH has been named our country’s top hospital for life-saving blood donations in 2017, as staff and volunteers gave nearly 600 units.
Director of Communications Mark Karjaluoto says the hospital has been part of Canadian Blood Services’ ‘Partners for Life’ program since 2009.
“Our hospital uses an enormous amount of blood – about 9,000 patients a year through our cancer, childbirth, surgical and many others benefit from blood donations. So we really just wanted a way to give back, and we’re thrilled we gave a total of 571 units last year.”
Karjaluoto says their best year before 2017, was 274 units in 2015.
“Last year, we had an amazing surge, not only because people were giving more often, but also because Canadian Blood Services gave us the benefit of a few on-site blood donor clinics. So when we saw the numbers going up, we aimed for the top – and staff and caregivers here at GRH just did a phenomenal job of giving back.”
Karjaluoto says people give blood for a number of different reasons, like if they’ve personally benefited from a blood donation – or a family member has.
“So many people have dealt with patients who need blood products, so they realize the need, and are very committed to giving back. It’s pretty important because about half of the Canadian population is eligible to donate – but only 4 per cent of people actually do. So for us last year, about a quarter of donations came from new donors, so that was great to see.”
Karjaluoto adds that he’s extremely thankful to everyone that rolled up their sleeves to help make this happen.
“Sometimes it takes a little bit of initiative for people to go out and donate blood, as people don’t necessarily like a date with a needle. But on the other hand, it makes such an enormous difference for someone who needs blood for life-saving care – so I’m very happy that our hospital was able to make such a difference, and I hope we can continue that into 2018.”
If you want to make a donation – you can use the Give Blood App, visit blood.ca, or call 1-888-2-DONATE.
