Canadian Blood Services regular donors reflect on the past 10 years
10 YEARS LATER
Gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary, Canadian Blood Services went searching for its very first donors – people who began donating regularly on the organization’s first official day of operations. It’s uncanny what was found.
Two loyal donors, who began making their blood contributions on September 28, 1998, both live in a small, historic community of just 18,000 people – Huntsville, Ontario. Nestled in the heart of Muskoka’s cottage country and surrounded by forest, hundreds of lakes and wetlands, the community has been home to both donors for many years – but the two have never met. What are the odds of that?
Ms. Carney – a mother of two daughters who works for a flooring company in Bracebridge, Ontario, and Mr. Lima – a father of two grown daughters who works in inside sales and customer service for a hardwood floor manufacturer, have made 48 and 43 blood donations respectively. Being a small community, it is no coincidence that Ms. Carney does vaguely remember chatting on the phone with Mr. Lima for work purposes – but the two never met or made the blood connection.
Ms. Carney was a recipient of blood products in 1973, after she survived a head-on collision and subsequent surgery to repair a badly broken knee and ankle. She says once she’d raised her family and had more time, she knew it was time to start donating.
“I also knew that hepatitis B was a real problem. My uncle got hepatitis B after a blood transfusion and passed away five years later, in his mid-80s,” she says. “I knew that good, healthy donors were needed.”
Mr. Lima says his youngest daughter – a regular donor herself – inspired him to donate. His other daughter and wife have low iron and typically can’t donate, but the whole family usually tries.
“My mom has had openheart surgery and needed blood,” he says. “I get a sense that most people think, ‘Oh. There’s always somebody else that would donate blood.’ But people have to remember that they are that ‘somebody else.’”
Every two months, both donors head to a mobile Canadian Blood Services clinic, set up in a church in Huntsville.
It is people like them – two folks who build regular blood donation into their schedules – that help Canada keep a safe, stable supply of blood. “I always arrange it that I can give, because you know ahead of time when the next clinic is,” says Mr. Lima.
Ms. Carney says not much would keep her away from the opportunity to donate blood. “I think of it as a duty and try to donate every time. It’s not hurting me any, but it’s helping a lot of people out.”
Both donors encourage others who haven’t started yet to become regular blood donors.
“Do unto others as you’d like them to do unto you,” reflects Ms. Carney. “If you’re healthy and well enough, it’s a good idea. I would sure appreciate it if I ever needed blood again.”
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