Press Release - December 2, 2004

Ottawans of all faiths are invited to come together and celebrate their faith through the act of blood donation between December 18 and December 31, 2004 by taking part in the In Good Faith Holiday Blood Drive.

The In Good Faith Holiday Blood Drive is part of the Interfaith initiative, a partnership between Canadian Blood Services and the National Capital Interfaith Committee launched in September 2003. The goal of this partnership is to attract new blood donors by making blood donation an integral part of Ottawa's spiritual life.

During the Holiday season, community clinics will be held throughout the city (from the West to the East end) including, for the first time ever, in Christ Church Cathedral at 439 Queen Street. Christ Church Cathedral has generously offered to host a blood donor clinic in the Cathedral Hall on Wednesday, December 29 from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Please call 1-888-236-6283 to book an appointment. We need 84 donors to attend this clinic to help meet the need for blood and blood products over the holidays.

Canadian Blood Services in Ottawa is encouraging local residents to make an appointment to donate blood over the Holidays, and at least twice a year every year at convenient area donor clinics. Every donation can help save up to three lives! Individuals can contact Canadian Blood Services toll-free at 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283) for more information on upcoming community donor clinics, eligibility or to book an appointment.

COMMUNITY BLOOD DONOR CLINICS

For further information contact:

Julie Daoust
Communications Specialist
Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa
(613) 560-7219