A shot in the arm for blood donations
Royal Bay Secondary Grade 12 student Jaimey Hamilton, left, a three-time cancer survivor and a bonemarrow transplant recipient, keeps teacher Stephanie Vink company at a blood-donor clinic at the school on Monday. Jaimey helped organize the clinic in part because blood donations tend to drop off in the summer. Although her past health problems preclude her from donating, she wanted to contribute to Canadian Blood Services however she could.
Jaimey Hamilton knows better than most people how vital blood donation can be.
The Grade 12 student at Royal Bay Secondary is a cancer survivor and bone-marrow recipient, and was one of the organizers behind a blood drive held Monday at the school.
She is unable to donate because of her past health problems, but figures getting involved with the blood drive was the next best thing.
“I’m here in support, trying to get as many people to donate as I can,” said Hamilton, who has battled leukemia three times.
Ann Chabert, Canadian Blood Services’ territory manager for Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, said Hamilton made a big impact on the success of the daylong effort.
“She’s amazing,” Chabert said. “She’s inspired a whole school.”
The donors included Stephanie Vink, one of Jaimey’s teachers last semester, who said she has given blood a handful of times before. Vink said she has a special reason for being a blood donor.
“My son has had three openheart surgeries,” she said. “What really drove me to start donating is that on the [operating] table, he has had blood transfusions.
“So if my kid had his life saved by donations, then I should be donating.”
The blood drive also included taking cheek swabs, which can help determine suitable marrow donors. “As great as the blood donation is, the swabs are also great,” Hamilton said.
The Grad Council’s blood drive came as Canadian Blood Services announced it hopes to boost its blood supply over the next few months, aiming for 150,000 donations by July 1.
The goal is to prepare for the usual downswing in summer, when donations decrease because people’s routines change with holidays and more outdoor activities.
“We’ve got to catch up and then try to get ahead,” said David Patterson, director of donor relations for Canadian Blood Services.
Blood can be a daily requirement for many people, including cancer patients, accident victims and those with blood disorders.
“The need for blood really is constant,” Patterson said. “Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood.
“One in two people in Canada is able to give blood, but only one in 60 actually does.”
Donors must at least 17 and in good health, he said.
Patterson said Canadian Blood Services has a program especially for high schools and post-secondary institutions.
“We are trying to engage people when they’re young to help them understand what they can do,” he said. “We want it to be a lifelong venture for them.”
In Canadian Blood Services’ B.C. and Yukon region, about 2,500 donations are needed every week to keep shelves stocked, Patterson said. The greatest need is for type-O blood, but everyone is encouraged to give.
Patterson said that on Vancouver Island, there are currently 700 appointments for blood donation to be filled by May 29.
To donate, go to blood.ca or use the GiveBlood app.