Mississauga firefighters put the call out for blood donations
Published August 18, 2021 at 4:32 pm
Mississauga firefighters are urging people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood—specifically, O-negative blood.
Firefighters put out the call for O-negative blood this morning on the fire department’s Twitter page.
“Right now, there is just under a three-day supply of O-negative blood, but we need to have between a five- and eight-day supply of blood and blood products to meet anticipated hospital demands,” the tweet reads.
The call for blood comes in the midst of the Sirens for Life 2021 campaign in Peel and neighbouring regions, which runs until Sept. 8 and challenges emergency responders to donate blood and encourage members of the community to do the same.
“First responders, like our Mississauga firefighters, save lives each and every day. I’m exceptionally proud of the men and women who go above and beyond the call of duty and roll up their sleeves to donate blood,” Mississauga Fire Chief Deryn Rizzi said at the Sirens for Life kickoff event at the Heartland Centre in July. “Last year, in the midst of the pandemic, Sirens for Life collected over 185 units of blood and I hope we can beat that this year.”
As of today (Aug. 18), as the local blood donation campaign continues, Peel Regional Police lead the way with 52 units collected, followed by Mississauga firefighters with 44 units, Brampton firefighters with 21 units, and Peel paramedics with 11 units, Mississauga firefighters tweeted.
Videos
Also participating against Peel emergency responders are corrections officers at Toronto South Detention Centre (nine units collected) and Oakville firefighters (five units collected).
To donate blood, call 1-888-2-DONATE or visit blood.ca to make an appointment.
Those who donate can do so in support of any of the emergency responders participating in the Sirens for Life campaign if they so choose.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising