Humboldt tragedy inspires national blood donor drive
Former Kamloops hockey teammates call on other players to pitch in and give
Stu Middleton wants hockey players across the country to join him and a former teammate and make some major saves.
The former junior hockey player from Kamloops set up a booth at the Memorial Cup in Regina on Friday to promote blood donations in honour of the Humboldt Broncos players and their families.
Middleton can relate to the pain of loss.
When he was 18 and a junior hockey player with the Revelstoke Grizzlies in 2000, his father was killed while driving through Rogers Pass to a game between Revelstoke and Golden.
In his grief, Middleton leaned heavily on his Revelstoke Grizzlies teammate Tanner Murray and gained a great appreciation for team culture.
When he heard about the Humboldt tragedy, he felt compelled to take action. He called Murray and, in April, the two co-founded Hockey Gives Blood.
They joined the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program and set up a website: hockeygivesblood.ca.
“People want to make a difference, want to help, but many don’t know what to do,” Middleton said. “Donating blood is the base of our health care and Canadian Blood Services is in constant need of it and often struggles trying to maintain their levels.”
He hopes to build relationships with teams and raise awareness about his cause while he’s at Evraz Place on Friday and Saturday.
“We want people to know what we’re doing and know what we’re trying to achieve,” Middleton said. “Right now the main donor base is not a young hockey player. You can be 17 years of age to start donating blood.”
Many young people at that age are fit and healthy, but donating blood isn’t their top priority, he said.
He and Murray did their first blood drive at Earl Marriott Secondary School in Surrey where they donated blood for the first time.
“Teams and players are leaders in the community and we are hoping that with them leading by example it will encourage more young people to donate,” Middleton said.
“Connecting with the youth while they are young is important as it increases the chances of creating a donor for life.”
He and Murray were contacted by the RBC Cup committee and asked to attend the opening ceremonies on May 12.
“We were able to connect with multiple teams as well as the president of the Humboldt Broncos and the assistant general manager,” Middleton said. “We are hoping to carry that momentum to the Memorial Cup. Right now getting the exposure and awareness has been our primary goal.”
Donating blood can be done across the country.
“Everyone who wants to make a difference can,” Middleton said.
Next year Canadian Blood Services will require 100,000 new donors. Through hockey, he hopes to recruit new lifesavers.
Middleton has been tireless in promoting Hockey Gives Blood. Since April he has spent 60 per cent of his time promoting blood donations and 40 per cent working at his business.
He’s quick to point out that getting the initiative underway has taken teamwork at home.
“Our wives have been an incredible help working behind the scenes from booking hotel rooms to ordering merchandise and designing event posters,” Middleton said. “We couldn’t do it without them.”
In the end, he hopes to create a lasting legacy in memory of the Humboldt Broncos and encourage blood donations.
“We are hoping that Hockey Gives Blood eliminates blood shortages across the country,” Middleton said.