MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
August 11, 2015
London, ON - London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), in partnership with Canadian Blood Services, is proud to announce that it has won the Canadian Blood Services Hospital Challenge — a regional competition between hospitals from across south-central Ontario to donate the most units of blood in June and July.
LHSC surpassed the competition, donating 109 units during the two-month challenge, more than double the number achieved by the closest competitor. LHSC also had the most first-time donors with 15 new donors rolling up their sleeves during the challenge.
The Hospital Challenge helps to address the increased need for blood during summer months when many regular donors are away on vacation. With its regional trauma and cancer programs – both high blood-product users – LHSC knows the need for blood is constant; it can take up to five donors to help someone undergoing cancer treatment and up to 50 donors to help save someone who has been in a motor vehicle collision.
“As health-care providers, LHSC has an imperative to help maintain a stable blood supply,” says Carol Young-Ritchie, Vice President of Patient-Centred Care. “I am proud and appreciative of all those staff, physicians and volunteers who rolled up their sleeves to donate. Their support for this vital community service is one more way LHSC continues to provide exceptional experiences for our patients.”
LHSC has been a proud Partners for Life member with Canadian Blood Services since 2012. As a member of this program, LHSC demonstrates a lasting commitment to saving lives by setting an annual target for blood donation and encouraging staff, volunteers and physicians to help reach that target.
“Canadian Blood Services is proud to partner with LHSC, and other Ontario hospitals to encourage blood donation during summer months, and we congratulate them on winning this significant challenge,” says Michael Betel, Director of Donor Relations. “We would like to thank all of the donors who participated, including some first-time donors, and invite them back to help replenish our national blood supply on a regular basis.”
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been at the forefront of medicine in Canada for 140 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, the Kidney Care Centre, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 65 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
About Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). We operate an integrated, pan-Canadian service delivery model that includes leading an interprovincial system for organ donation and transplantation. Our national scope, infrastructure and governance make us unique in the Canadian healthcare landscape. Canadian Blood Services is regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health. Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization.
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For media inquiries contact:
Kelly Hutchinson
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 77129
After-hours assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call
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