OTTAWA - In conjunction with Canadian Blood Services, the Ottawa Senators announced today that the two organizations will play host to Sens Big Save! – a community-wide effort to reach a goal of 1,200 units of blood during this year’s annual blood donor campaign, which is taking place from Dec. 5 to 10 in Ottawa. For a third consecutive season, the Senators are encouraging their fans to roll up their sleeves in a community-wide effort to reach this important goal.

“We are asking for the support and assistance of Senators fans to give blood during the week of Dec. 5, with a goal of making a life-saving difference within our community,” said Senators president Cyril Leeder. “As we head into the holiday season, we know that almost 5,000 life-saving gifts are needed in December alone to assist in the recovery of hospital patients in Eastern Ontario alone.”

Collecting blood during the holiday season is a challenge as many donors are busy with family activities or are travelling.

“Making a blood donation before or after the holidays helps ensure an adequate supply for those in need,” said Anne Campbell, the North/East Ontario and Nunavut director of donor and clinic services for Canadian Blood Services. “A seriously injured victim of a car accident can require up to 50 units of blood. As one donor generally provides only one unit of blood per donation, it could take up to 50 donors to meet the demands of just one trauma patient.”
To contribute to the Sens Big Save! next week at the Ottawa Blood Donor Clinic, please call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or visit www.blood.ca to book your appointment.

Platinum sponsors for events during Sens Big Save!  include Roche, Onx/EMC, Bayer and Grifols.

About Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. Canadian Blood Services also oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Canadian Blood Services operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. The provincial and territorial Ministries of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.blood.ca.

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