B.C. health minister 'honoured and excited' by Sikh community's blood-donation campaign

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix has commended members of the Sikh community for heeding the call for more blood donations after Canadian Blood Services experienced a drop in donationsbecause of measures around COVID-19.

The community traditionally organizes a large blood drive every November, but this year brought it forward after a spike in cancelled appointmentsdue to physical distancing requirements.

On Monday, at his daily press conference with provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry,Dix used the example of thecampaign as an example ofcommunity coming together to support one another at a critical time.

"People in the South Asian community of the Sikh faith, who every year launch one of the biggest blood drives in Canada,are launching a new blood drive, really at the call of Dr. Henry and many others across the country, and we're so honoured and excited by that," Dix said.

"It's such an important thing to do and really heartening to see."

Sukhdeep Singh, a volunteerwith the blood drive, has donated blood for the past 21 years, and says it feels good to be recognized.

"If you're doing something year after year, and the health minister recognized it, to me it's a good gesture ... obviously, it feels great."

'It's part of our duty to society'

He saysCanadian Blood Services reached out the group to solicit donations after seeing a drop in donations.

Because of physical distancing measures, Singh says the communitywill not be doing anyclinic take-overs or mobile donation clinics. Instead, they are encouraging participants to schedule their own personal appointments to donate.

"It's part of our duty to society," Singh said. "We're enjoying all the privilege, and sometimes we ignore what we're supposed to do to the neighbourhood, the community, the country as a whole."

Canadian Blood Services says there is still an urgent need for blood for patientswith chronic illness ortraumatic injury, and for those undergoing surgery or cancer treatments.

The organization says it hasput in place enhanced cleaning measuresand stricter eligibility requirements for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19,developed a fever and cough, or travelled abroad in recent weeks.

It has cancelled walk-in donations to comply with physical distancing measures. Any interested and eligibledonors are encouraged to make an appointment.

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