Students Donating Blood to Help Neighbours in Need

It’s in You to Give.

Once a month, Hamilton District Christian High is asked to fill a bus with eight donors to give blood at the Ancaster Canadian Blood Services. This tradition is part of a long standing relationship that has been taking place for a number of years. Last year, HDCH had the most donors out of all high schools in the Hamilton region!

Taylor VanderMeulen, Grade 12 and Cassie Heidbuurt, Grade 12 help to organize participation from staff and students. At the start of the school year, these two are busy planning events and marketing donor eligibility. According to Canadian Blood Services, all donors must be at least 17 years of age, meet the height and weight requirements, and be in good general health.

What’s Your Type?
HDCH also hosts an annual ‘What’s Your Type’ clinic. On this day, a representative from Canadian Blood Services visits the school and offers blood typing to students and staff. The clinic also serves as an opportunity to gather interest for blood donation.

“It’s important for people to know what their blood type is. These clinics make it easy to give results in a matter of minutes,” said Taylor. “On the day of the clinic we had many students interested in blood donation. As a result, we have all the dates fully booked until the New Year. It is amazing to have this kind of feedback, because it can sometimes be challenging to find eight donors per month. “

An informative assembly is planned for the New Year to explain the importance of blood donation. When you give just one unit of blood, it can be enough to save a life.

“The Lord has blessed us with these dynamic bodies so that we can literally give of ourselves to help others,” said Taylor. “God calls us to do all that we can to love one another the way that He loves us. He gave his whole self to save us; the very least we can do is give a unit of blood to help our neighbours in need.”

There are many more buses to fill in the New Year. If you are interested in being a part of this initiative you may sign up with the HDCH team or make an appointment at any Canadian Blood Services Clinic.

For more information and to get involved, visit www.blood.ca.