Canadian Blood Services has launched a donation campaign to honour the victims of the April mass shootings and arsons.
The #NovaScotiaStrong campaign will be held over the next two weeks across the country, CBS said in a news release Thursday.
“Following the horrific events this past April in Nova Scotia, the province and the country rallied to share their love and support for the families of the victims taken,” said Peter MacDonald, director of donor relations, Atlantic. “We are proud to expand this support and love for the victims and their families in the form of blood donation from all Canadians.”
Twenty-two people were killed April 18 and 19 in the string of shootings and arsons in Colchester and Hants counties.
Canadians are encouraged to donate blood between Aug. 14 and Aug. 31 at their nearest donor centre or mobile event in memory of all the lives lost in this tragic event.
One of the victims, Tom Bagley, was a dedicated blood donor who achieved the milestone of 100 donations. His family plans to donate blood in his honour during the campaign.
“If you knew my dad, he probably helped you at some point in your life,” his daughter, Charlene Bagley, said in the news release.
“I grew up seeing this all the time when he would drop anything to help out someone in need. I recently discovered that he received a certificate for donating blood 100 times. He was O-negative and donating blood was something he believed was important.”
Donors are encouraged to share photos, videos and their reasons for donating on social media using the hashtag #NovaScotiaStrong.
Donors can call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or go to blood.ca/novascotiastrong for more information. You can also download CBS’s GiveBlood app.
