New plasma drive in Sudbury begins for the summer season
In Greater Sudbury on Thursday, a Sirens For Life event was held. This two-month long national event is a challenge between first responders to see who can donate the most plasma.
To kick off the challenge local police, fire services, paramedics and the North Shore search and rescue team rolled up their sleeves throughout the day to donate plasma.
“So, every time a donor comes to donate from (first responder) groups they’ll receive points, new donors are extra points, coming on a long weekend is extra points and at the end of the competition the team that collected the most plasma donations wins our cool inaugural plaque,” said Teri-Mai Armstrong, business development manager at Canadian Blood Services.
“With the pandemic like everywhere else, we saw a decline of donors, the lowest we’ve seen in 10 years. So, this is really important.”
During last year’s event, 375 plasma donations were collected and this year’s goal is 500. Armstrong said plasma donations are needed now more than ever.
“All of us with sirens are donating to save lives, so everyone wins. I’ve seen the real life stories of how we help people, I understand the need and it’s fun,” said chief Paul Pedersen, Greater Sudbury Police Services.
Greater Sudbury Paramedic Services won the challenge in 2021 and are hoping to do the same again this year.
“We got a lot of fresh faces with our service over the last year so we’re hoping we can just add a bunch more people to the team and get them donating,” said Dilyn Gilbert-Leduc, a primary care paramedic.
The Sirens For Life challenge will wrap up on Labour Day.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.