Laurier reaches 65% of Canadian Blood Services donations target for 2021

June 14, 2021

Halfway through 2021, Wilfrid Laurier University has reached 65% of the number of blood donations it pledged to Canadian Blood Services for the year, with a total of 229 donations so far. The university has pledged to donate 350 units of blood by the end of 2021.

During National Blood Donor Week, taking place June 14 to 19, and World Blood Donor Day on June 14, Laurier staff, faculty, students, alumni and community members are encouraged to make an appointment at a Canadian Blood Services clinic to donate. Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-888-2-DONATE. One blood donation can save up to three lives.

There are two ways to have your donation included in Laurier’s pledge:

• Fill out the Partners for Life Member Registration Form prior to donating and include Laurier’s partner ID: WILF001529.
• Upon arrival at the clinic, inform staff that you would like your donation to count toward Laurier’s pledge.

Canadian Blood Services’ Waterloo clinic is located at 94 Bridgeport Rd. E. The clinic’s operating hours are:

• Monday to Thursday: 2 to 7 p.m.
• Friday: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you live in Brantford or elsewhere, you can find an appointment near you by entering your location or postal code on the Canadian Blood Services website. 

Last year, Laurier donors contributed a record-breaking 477 units of blood to Canadian Blood Services, surpassing the university’s pledge by 127 donations.

The incredible number of donations this year and last is thanks in part to the Blood Battle in support of Canadian Blood Services, in which athletes, coaches, support staff and fans from Laurier Athletics aimed to donate more blood than their counterparts at the University of Waterloo. Golden Hawks contributed 266 units of blood during the 2020 battle, ahead of the Waterloo Warriors, who won the inaugural challenge in 2019.  

Laurier and the University of Waterloo are members of Canadian Blood Services’ Partner for Life program and both universities pledge blood donations to the organization every year.

If you are unsure if you are eligible to donate blood, please visit the Canadian Blood Services eligibility page or call 1-888-2-DONATE to talk with a nurse.

It is safe to donate blood during COVID-19. Visit the Canadian Blood Services website for details about donor health requirements, screening measures and cleaning practices.