Blood drive thrives

It might have been March Break, but that didn’t stop community members from turning out in strong numbers to roll up their sleeves and help this week’s blood drive edge out its goal with a total of 79 donors.

The Kateri Memorial Hospital Center (KMHC) had aimed for at least 75 donors for the event, held in partnership with Hema Quebec at the Knights of Columbus on Tuesday, after October’s edition brought out 72 people to give blood.

“It doesn’t take long and it doesn’t hurt nothin’,” said Ricky Dailleboust. The 71-year-old first started giving blood when he was a bus driver around two decades ago, and he estimated he’s now donated close to 40 times.

A lot of people from town donate, he said, and having a clinic right here in Kahnawake gives people an easy opportunity to participate.

“It makes me feel good that I’ll be helping somebody,” he said.

Every donation is meaningful, because each one helps to save up to three lives.

“The need is there,” said KMHC spokesperson Joe Delaronde, who was himself among the donors. “You never know when the need is going to be or who it’s going to be. It’s just so important to do it.”

Delaronde noted that KMHC, like any other hospital, sometimes does blood transfusions.

As a medical organization, it was a natural fit for the KMHC to take over the blood donor clinic from The Eastern Door, Delaronde said; Kahnawake media continues to be of service, he highlighted, with advertising boosts from all the major local media outlets in recognition of the importance of the cause.

“Every pint counts,” Delaronde said. “If I can help someone somewhere down the line, I feel good about that. We all should feel good about doing something like that. It doesn’t take much time.”

According to Hema Quebec blood drive supervisor Gabrielle Desjardins, it’s important to collect blood donations from diverse communities to help ensure recipients have access to the blood they need.

Not only that, but it takes 1,000 donations a day to keep blood supplies in stock.

“In Quebec, we’re self-sufficient in blood. Every blood transfusion you receive in our hospitals is from a Quebec donor,” Desjardins said, highlighting the importance of donating.

Beverly Delormier decided to contribute in her own way by volunteering at the event.

“Because I can’t give blood, I figured, well, let me come here and see what I can do,” she said.

Delaronde invited those who missed this week’s blood donor clinic to consider giving next time around.

“Blood, it’s simple. It’s the gift of life for somebody,” he said. “You’ll feel good doing it. It doesn’t matter who it goes to. It’s all the same underneath. Everybody bleeds red. People here needed help in the past, and if we can help them out there, we’re all doing the right thing.”

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter