Mayor extending challenge to donate blood, save lives

NORRIS ARM - Norris Arm Mayor Chris Manuel is offering a friendly challenge to his fellow mayors and councillors in central Newfoundland.

Mayor Manuel, a regular blood donor, is approaching his 40th donation on Sept. 2. To mark the occasion, he is asking other municipal politicians in the area, as well as the citizens of Norris Arm, to do their part.

“I’m issuing a challenge to other mayors and councillors to try and save 40 lives on that day, which would be about 13 more donations,“ he explained. “There was a fireman a little while back who had 100 donations and did the same thing, so I thought it was a great idea.”

Mayor Manuel is in the process of contacting mayors and councillors in the area via email and will be issuing them a poster detailing the event.

“Anybody in (Norris Arm) is welcome to donate - that’s what it’s all about,” he added.

Sharon Maidment, director for Canada Blood Services in Grand Falls-Windsor, explained that “milestone parties” are typically offered to donors for their 25th, 50th, 75th, and 100th, donations.

“We would provide a cake and send out an email and poster to the person, and then that person goes out to recruit family, friends and co-workers to donate with them,” she explained.

“In Mayor Manuel’s case, he wanted to do something for his 40th donation. When we chatted about it, and I knew he was mayor, I suggested we do something with the mayors in central Newfoundland.”

She added that such parties are a great way to recruit people to become donors and to gather a group of family and friends for a good cause.

“A lot of people hear it all the time, but every time you donate blood, you can save or improve up to three lives,” she said. “That one donation can go so far and if you think about one donation every two months, it’s just fabulous math, because there’s so many people that need help every single day.”