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
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.