Muslim Medical Association of Queen’s Hosts ‘Winter Shortage’ Blood Drive

Published on: 2019/01/04 - in Releases

Every winter, Canadian Blood Services experiences a decline in blood donations. This year, the Muslim Medical Association of Queen’s took over the Canadian Blood Services clinic to help host a special winter shortage blood drive on December 28, 2018.

In the weeks preceding the blood drive, MMAQ organized a 5-week campaign to spread awareness about the shortage and address misconceptions surrounding blood donations. The campaign involved delivering flyers to local Kingstonians and creating video adverts that were circulated online through Facebook.

MMAQ organized transportation for anyone who needed a ride to the blood drive and gifted every donor with a ‘proud blood donor t-shirt.’ The response was overwhelmingly positive as 30 Kingstonians came out that day, almost half exclusively from MMAQ campaign ads, to extend a helping hand and donate blood.

The blood collected that day was on a bus to a hospital in Ottawa by 10 pm where it was used immediately in the days to follow.

MMAQ hopes to make this the first of an annual tradition that helps address the on-going decline in blood donations during the winter. Anyone can be a blood hero at any time by heading to www.blood.ca and taking a minute to book their blood appointment.


Release and photos: Submitted