Canada's NDP

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June 14th, 2018

NDP Statement on World Blood Donor Day

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada’s NDP, issued the following statement:

“Giving blood is one of the most fundamental acts of love we take part in. It’s an act of selfless service to take care of those around you.

Every day in Canada, the need for blood in medical emergencies can mean the difference between life or death. That this blood is available, when people need it, depends on a population that is aware of the need.

On World Blood Donor Day, we take the opportunity to raise awareness of the need for blood donors, and honour the hundreds of thousands of people who freely give every year, helping Canada’s blood stocks remain viable.

That is not the case in many countries, where chronic shortages of blood and donors results in major challenges for the medical community. In these countries, World Blood Donor Day plays a vital role in raising awareness of these challenges.

Each blood donation is a precious gift to someone in need. It is a beautiful act of generosity that everybody should be able to take part in.

That’s why here in Canada we must end the discriminatory blood ban, preventing sexually active gay, and bisexual men, from donating blood. It’s time for this ban to end, and for Canada’s healthcare system to move towards an individual risk assessment.

On World Blood Donor Day, we shine on a light on the never ending need for blood donations in Canada, and around the world, and show our gratitude for those who have given the gift of life."