The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to encourage all able Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to consider donating blood.

Blood donations are important to maintain an adequate supply of blood components and products such as red blood cells, platelets, and plasma, for transfusion to patients who need them.

Blood components and products are a critical part of medical care used in surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments, and trauma. It takes many donors to ensure adequate blood supply for hospitals. It can take up to five donors to save someone who needs heart surgery; 50 donors to help save just one person seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash, and eight donors per week to help someone going through treatment for leukemia.

Mr. Speaker, nine-year-old David Young of Paradise, who was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Leukemia in March of 2017, has received more than 25 blood and platelet transfusions. This little fighter is the son of Steven Young and Melanie Murphy.  Melanie, I might add, is an employee in my department. We have followed David’s journey and, I am happy to report that he is now in remission. There are many stories similar to David’s in this province, where blood donation has been the gift of life.

Every two seconds of every day, someone needs blood. Since blood cannot be manufactured outside the body and has a limited shelf life – the supply must be constantly replenished.

That is why Mr. Speaker, it is so important that everyone who can, considers becoming a donor. Thank-you.