Halifax first responders donate blood for Sirens for Life campaign

First responders roll up their sleeves to participate in the Sirens for Life blood donor campaign.

Around 20 first responders kicked off the Sirens for Life campaign at Canadian Blood Services in Halifax on Thursday.

RCMP, Halifax Regional Police, Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency, a police horse named Jules and a fire dog called Annie all came out to support the campaign.

“We see it and it’s not pretty but it is a need and everybody has the ability to give the gift of life and it’s maybe something you think of until you need it or a family member needs it,” says Const. Dianne Penfound.

These first responders see the urgent need for blood and blood products.

Acting Chief Roy Hollett with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency says their crew has been taking part in this campaign for many years and it’s important to them.

“Unfortunately, our crews do see the unfortunate scenes and realize that the people they save and bring to the hospital may need a blood transfusion at some point. We see the front end so knowing that we can come here to support the back end and providing valuable blood and plasma, is something we just can’t do enough of,” says Hollet.

The summer months are the slowest for blood donations so Canadian Blood Services is grateful for the campaign.

“There’s an immediate need, especially for O-positive and O-negative donors, we only have a couple on hand every day for those types. But all types are needed right now. We are open in Halifax six days a week and there are tons of openings, and we need people to make that as part of their plans this summer,” says Krysta Hanakowski, Canadian Blood Services Nova Scotia community development manager.

It’s a competition between all emergency responders across Halifax to see who can donate the most blood. Last year Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency won by only one unit of blood.

“Last year I think Sirens brought in 350 units of blood just over the course of the summer. They do a lot more year-round but it’s an important time and a reminder to folks,” says Hanakowski.

Captain Annette Thompson with Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency has been donating since she was 16 years old. Thursday marked her 269^th donation.

“If we don’t have it readily available, then people are going to die, it’s cut and dry. Plasma, platelets and whole blood are the bases not just for traumatic injury but for people going through things like cancer, chemo hemophilia, the list goes on and on, “says Thompson.

“By us showing the public that we are here, we are hoping to draw in more first responders as well as more of the public.”

Hanakowski says about half of the population is eligible to donate but currently only two per cent do, which is not enough to support the entire country.

“The need for blood is rising, and we are going to need more and more blood donors over the years, so we need more people to help meet that rising need. Hospitals are using more, the need for plasma is rising, the need for blood is rising and the only way we are going to meet that need is by people donating,” says Hanakowski.

The emergency crews are hoping they can encourage others to roll up their sleeves to save lives as well.

“Horses draw people and fire trucks draw people so maybe that will get people over here and say yeah maybe I will give some blood today,” says Penfound.

The campaign runs until Labour Day weekend in September. Anyone can register as a part of the first responders’ teams.

No appointments are required as walk-ins are welcome. But anyone can call, email or book online.

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