World Blood Donor Day - June 14, 2013

Today marks the 10^th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day. I would like to thank Canadians for their life-saving donations throughout the year and to celebrate the thousands of individuals who work behind the scenes to ensure the safety and supply of Canada's blood.

Every day, blood transfusions save and enhance the lives of Canadians who are injured, having surgery, or being treated for one of the many other diseases that can affect the blood. This is why blood donors are always in demand. I encourage regular donors to continue giving, and people in good health who have never given blood, to begin doing so. In this way, Canada's voluntary donation-based blood transfusion system will be able to ensure the timely availability of safe blood for all patients who need it.

Canada is proud to have one of the safest and most advanced blood systems in the world. As the regulator of Canada's blood system, Health Canada considers the quality and safety of Canada's blood supply a top priority. The federal government recently renewed its support of $25 million to Canadian Blood Services over the next five years to fund research and development that focuses on improving blood transfusions in Canada. This funding complements Health Canada's on-going work with provinces, territories, Héma-Québec, health professionals, and other partners to support a safe, effective and responsive blood system for Canada. .

As we celebrate World Blood Donor Day, I encourage all Canadians to join this worldwide effort to 'Give the gift of life by donating blood'.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada