Message from the Minister of Health and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health – National Blood Donor Week (June 12-18, 2022)
Statement
June 14, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada
This week is National Blood Donor Week and today, we mark World Blood Donor Day. This day serves to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation in Canada and thank donors who selflessly help others with their lifesaving contributions.
For 2022, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is introducing the “Shine a Light” campaign to highlight the need for new donors and inspire people to help make our blood system stronger.
In Canada, there is a constant demand for blood and blood products (platelets, blood plasma, red blood cells, etc.) to help save lives. In fact, 52 percent of people say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products at some point in their lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada lost more than 50,000 donors, and now, more than ever, blood donation is critical to replenish the donor base.
Our government recognizes the importance of supporting blood and plasma donation policies that are non-discriminatory, safe, and scientifically based nationwide. Since 2015, we’ve worked with Héma-Québec and Canadian Blood Services to reduce the five-year donor deferral period for men who have sex with men (MSM) to one year in 2016, then to three months in 2019.
Most recently, in April 2022, Health Canada authorized CBS’ submission to eliminate the current three-month blanket donor deferral period for all sexually active men who have sex with men, and instead screen all donors, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, for high-risk sexual behaviours. Health Canada also authorized a submission from Héma-Québec to change their plasma donor screening criteria to screen all source plasma donors, regardless of gender or sexuality, for high-risk sexual behaviours. These regulatory authorizations rely on the progress of scientific evidence, which has been aided by our government’s research investments in this area in recent years.
During National Blood Donor Awareness Week, we encourage you to think about donating blood, plasma, stem cells, or cord blood, if you can.
We thank all those who have donated and continue to do so to save the lives of others. Learn how you can donate today.
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, P.C., M.P.
Contacts
Marie-France Proulx
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
Minister of Health
613-957-0200
Maja Staka
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health
343-552-5568
Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca