Lethbridge College is losing letters to support Canadian Blood Services’ #MissingType initiative. Starting today, the college will be removing letters A, B and O from its logo on its institutional website and social media accounts.
The letters represent the three main blood types, and by removing them temporarily, Canadian Blood Services and the college intend to highlight the reality that if not enough new people donate blood, these “types” will go missing in years to come.
“We are happy to support such an important cause,” says Lethbridge College President and CEO Dr. Paula Burns. “The college is a community-driven institution whose faculty, staff and students drive our many philanthropic efforts. We’re especially thankful to our dedicated donors and blood drive coordinators around campus who continue to give blood and save lives.”
#MissingType runs from now through Sunday in conjunction with National Blood Donor Week. The parallel campaigns seek to eliminate the gaps in blood donation from both first-time and returning donors as well as celebrate donors for their generosity and spirit and for giving life.
#MissingType was originally launched by the U.K. Department of Health in 2015, and has since expanded to countries around the world.
“At the Lethbridge clinic, we have 480 open appointments in June that need to be filled to keep up with patient demand,” says Belinda Tomiyama, Canadian Blood Services’ territory manager, Donor Relations, Alberta and Saskatchewan. “Patients need 1,600 donors every month to donate at the Lethbridge clinic, so they can continue to receive their life-saving treatments.”
Lethbridge College has been a proud Partner for Life with Canadian Blood Services since 2013, and one of more than 4,000 organizations across Canada who participate in the Partner for Life initiative every year. This is the second time it has joined in the #MissingType campaign.
To have your donations count towards the Lethbridge College blood drive, register online using Partner ID number LETH010182. By registering, each past and future donation will be automatically attributed to your Partners for Life group, helping Lethbridge College achieve its goal.
So, roll up your sleeves and join Leth_ridge C_llege by visiting Canadian Blood Services online, downloading their GiveBlood app or calling 1-888-236-6283 to find a nearby donation site.
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