Greater Sudbury's emergency services workers gathered Thursday afternoon to put the call out to the community to help save lives this summer.
The Sirens For Life challenge was hosted in Sudbury for the first time since 2015 on June 27 and emergency services workers from Greater Sudbury Police Services, Fire and EMS, as well as Nipissing West OPP were at Canadian Blood Services on Barrydowne Road to give blood.
GSPS Insp. John Valtonen gives blood regularly, as do many members of Sudbury's police force.
"We turn it into a bit of a friendly competition to see who can get the most people to donate," said Valtonen. "A lot of people donate regularly and when something like this comes around we're always happy to jump on board."
Working on the frontlines in the emergency services sector, Valtonen says there's a clear understanding of the vital need for blood donors, especially at this time of year.
"It's something that we see on a regular basis and have a clear understanding that there's always a need for blood donors," said Valtonen. "There's always a challenge in Greater Sudbury to get donors and it's imperative that the supply is there through the summer months."
Canadian Blood Services hopes to collect 2,572 units of blood throughout July and August through the Sirens for Life campaign, which will go to hospital patients in need. In addition, the campaign hopes to bring in an additional 290 new donors who will roll up their sleeves and give blood for the first time.
"It's always challenging during the summer to get donors," said Jenny Fortin, territory manager for Canadian Blood Services. "People are away on holidays, enjoying the weather, but the need for blood never takes a holiday."
Every year, more than 100,000 donors are needed to meet Canada's demand for lifesaving blood.
"Events like these definitely help," said Fortin. "When you have these emergency services workers out here who know first-hand what the need is, and the community sees them, it's kind of that 'a-ha' moment for them."
Valtonen and his GSPS cohorts tied with Sudbury EMS in 2015 for the most donations, and the inspector was one of the first into the chair this year to get the ball rolling. The emergency service department that gets the most donations will be honoured with a trophy and will have their flag flown at Tom Davies Square.
"With the people we have in emergency services giving blood I'd say we're in here on a monthly basis," said Valtonen. "It's just another small way that we can give back to the community."
