(By Sophia Yee, Junior Geoscientist at Integrated Sustainability)
Approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. In fact, according to a recent poll, 52 percent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment. Did you know that it takes an average of 50 units of blood to save one life affected by an auto accident?
Giving blood as a company has been on the Community Engagement Committee’s radar for some time now. Many employees at Integrated Sustainability give blood regularly on their own time, but organizing an event that aggregates that interest was always the main goal.
Canadian Blood Services offers many mobile clinics across the city, but they also have a unique service that caters to groups and companies alike. This convenient service involves their “Life Bus” that picks up groups and transports them to the main center or a mobile clinic location. It is intended to gather groups in an efficient manner from their office and is available to drive the group back as soon as their donations are complete.
On September 19th and 20th, nine employees of Integrated Sustainability donated their blood at the main center or a mobile clinic. There were four first time donors, and they were all given a warm welcome from the staff and given “first time donor” badges to wear proudly.
This experience was definitely a success for Integrated Sustainability. Giving blood saves lives, and the donors were reminded of this when they met one of the ambassadors for Canadian Blood Services. She shared her story of requiring 72 units of blood during an emergency operation, and had it not been for the generous donations of volunteers, she would not be alive today.
In keeping with the core values of the company, several employees have set a goal for themselves to donate blood every 56 days in order to give back to the community and make a difference. As the company continues to grow, we hope to increase the interest and number of participants in our company blood drive, and to lead by example in hopes that other companies will regularly donate towards this amazing and much needed cause.
After all, it’s in you to give!
