Canadian Blood Services honoured Comox resident Sarah Fox for her contributions to Canada’s blood system at a national ceremony held in Ottawa last week.
The annual Honouring our Lifeblood ceremony at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum recognized Fox along with other donors, volunteers, partners and sponsors from across the country who provide a lifeline to hundreds of thousands of Canadians who need blood, stem cells, or organs and tissues.
Fox, 31, is the recipient of the 2011 Honouring our Lifeblood volunteer award for the B.C. and Yukon Region. Fox is responsible for recruiting, training and scheduling all volunteers who work at the Comox mobile blood donor clinic, ensuring proper support is available for donors giving blood.
While Fox has been volunteering with the blood agency for the past two years, her first experience with donated blood actually came as a newborn baby.
Born two months premature, Fox’s liver was underdeveloped and unable to properly detoxify her blood. One life-saving blood transfusion helped clear her system and sustain her necessary organ development.
“Blood is kind of like water — you don’t think about it being there until it’s not there,” Fox remarks. “I’d like people to think about it before it’s not there for someone in need and consider donating blood or volunteering with Canadian Blood Services.”
An aspiring doctor, Fox is studying sciences at North Island College.
“It is significant that we celebrate individuals and organizations who are the heart of Canada’s blood system in order to inspire others to follow their lead and join the movement,” says Dr. Graham Sher, chief executive officer of Canadian Blood Services. “Giving blood, blood products and stem cells, and supporting the efforts of those who do, can be very fulfilling ways by which Canadians can share their vitality and have a direct impact on the lives of others in need.”
Each year, hundreds of thousands of blood donors and volunteers, as well as more than numerous community groups, sponsors and partners, work together to help ensure that those needing blood receive it.
To consider donating blood, visit www.blood.ca/eligibility or call 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec.
Canadian Blood Services operates 43 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. The provincial and territorial Ministries of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system.
— Canadian Blood Services