April 16, 2010: Canadian Blood Services and Halton District School Board today announced a partnership that will help strengthen community blood donations.

Through its membership in Canadian Blood Services’s Partners for Life program, Halton District School Board takes its place alongside the many organizations nation-wide that have committed to giving a pre-set number of blood donations annually. Working toward a goal of 100 units of blood in 2010, Halton District School Board employees will help ensure that blood inventory remains stable and patient needs are met.

“Encouraging our employees to donate blood through this partnership with Canadian Blood Services is the right thing to do,” said Wayne Joudrie, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “The Partners For Life program is a simple way we can make an important difference in the lives of others.”

Judy Compton, Director, Donor & Clinic Services for Canadian Blood Services in Central and Southern Ontario Regions, said: “Our partnership with the Halton District School Board will help strengthen blood collections for the benefit of patients in need — anywhere in Canada.  We are very pleased they have joined us in this lifesaving program.”

Canadian Blood Services is a national not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the blood supply in all Canadian provinces and territories (except Québec) and oversees OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network. A dedicated team of 4,800 staff and 17,000 volunteers enable Canadian Blood Services to operate 40 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. While Canadian Blood Services is a non-governmental organization, it receives operational funding from the Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Health, and is regulated by Health Canada.

For additional information, contact:
Ryan Luyk, Human Resources, Program Development Coordinator
Halton District School Board
(905) 335-3663, ext. 3311