In partnership with the Ireland Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC Van), Irish in BC is kicking off another blood drive this October.
Our last drive, held during Irish Heritage Month in March 2026, brought 51 new members to our team and resulted in 52 donations – helping save up to 156 lives!
There is a constant need for blood donations to support surgeries and emergencies, cancer treatments, premature babies, people living with blood disorders and diseases, and burn victims.
Did you know?
• One donation can help save up to three lives.
• Every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood.
• One in two Canadians will need blood or know someone who does, yet less than 2% of eligible Canadians donate each year.
• Donated blood only lasts 42 days, which is one of the many reasons the need is constant.
• Leukemia patients can need donations from up to eight donors a week during treatment.
• Crash victims may require blood from up to 50 donors to survive.
• One million new donors are needed by 2030 to meet growing demand.
• It only takes an hour of your time to save someone’s life – and there are great snacks afterwards!
Our goal
We’re aiming for 150 donations by the end of December and currently have 105. With 158 members on our team, we’d also love to welcome another 42 members and reach 200.
Where can you donate?
In Metro Vancouver, there are three main locations: the Oak Street and 31st Avenue clinic, the downtown Dunsmuir Street location, and the new clinic at 2428–160 Street in Surrey. If you live elsewhere in BC, visit blood.ca to find your nearest donation centre.
Throughout the campaign, you’ll hear from members of our own community who have personally benefited from your blood donations and understand just how important they are.
Ready to make a difference? Sign up for the Irish in BC team here, then grab some friends and donate together!
If you have any questions, contact Eilis Courtney at irishinbc@gmail.com or Alan Bradley at alanb@icccvan.com.
