Donors needed to ensure patients have the blood they need

submitted by Canadian Blood Services

There are more than 7,000 open appointments across Canada that must be filled by April 10 to replenish supplies to continue to meet patient needs.

The need for blood products never stops, especially during a long weekend and with the Easter public holiday just around the corner, we're reminding Canadians to make all the difference by booking and keeping lifesaving appointments to donate blood, platelets and plasma.

Canadian Blood Services is grateful to the donors who help ensure the supply of lifesaving blood and plasma remains strong to help patients like ten-yearold Olivia Blundon.

Olivia was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and in the months that followed, she needed more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions. She has since required a stem cell transplant, has been diagnosed with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and will eventually need a kidney transplant.

Olivia’s condition is closely monitored and the possibility of future transfusions remains high. Her family is counting on donors to maintain the blood supply so that she can get the blood she needs when she needs it.

Donors are needed now to grow the plasma supply and restock the reserve of blood. Cancer patients, accident victims, and people with immunodeficiency, autoimmune and neurological disorders rely on blood, platelets, and plasma donations every day.

While there is a continuous need for all blood types, there is a greater need for donors who have O-negative blood. O-negative blood donors are especially needed because this blood type can be transfused to any patient. In times of emergency or for newborn patients, Onegative blood, the universal blood type, makes a lifesav-

Could a bike park be on its way for Winchester?

a bike park in Winchester can be built in a central location, where the “eyes of the community” can help to make sure that it is being used respectfully and properly. Stefan believes in the idea that members of the community can watch out for each other’s children in a true “it takes a village” mindset.

ing difference.

Appointments are required. Same day appointments are available every day at many donor centres and community events across the country.

Book now on blood. ca, use the GiveBlood app or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283).

New and returning donors are asked to book and keep their donation appointments. If you are unable to make it to your appointment, please cancel it so that someone can take your place or re-book into the following month.

Garage Sale

457 Gladstone, Winchester. Thursday & Friday. Apr 13 & 14, 8am to 3pm. Downsizing

Winchester resident Stefan Kohut is serious when it comes to recreation, and he’s not afraid to put his time and energy where his mouth is. Stefan has been vocal about the need for more recreational amenities in North Dundas for months, and he has had many ideas about what sort of amenities would be great for local youth. His latest idea? A bike park in Winchester.

Stefan has been in touch with a few local experts over the past few weeks, trying to figure out how to make a bike park happen. One of the people he has talked to is the designer of the BMX bike park in Kemptville, who is also affiliated with the Ottawa BMX Association. “He’s really keen on this project for us, because it’s something he’s never done,” said Stefan. “He’s never done a hill from scratch. He’s always gone into existing places and shaped it and worked it and fixed it so that it was more functional for the bikers.”

Stefan is hoping that

A location is not yet confirmed, but Stefan is always on the lookout for suitable locations not just in Winchester, but in all North Dundas villages as well. He scoped out a currently unused public location in Chesterville recently that was formerly used for dumping snow. He believes this would be a great location to build something for the children. “I think Chesterville really needs something like this for their kids, I think they need it so bad,” Stefan added. “To give them a place where they could go out, have fun and have risk without having to get that thrill from possibly getting caught by the police or their neighbours is kind of what I’m going for.”

Of course, with any project, not everyone will be in favour. Many locals are worried about tax increases as a result of any recreational project, though the aim is to not fund the project with tax dollars. Stefan hopes to secure donations of money and resources from lo- cal businesses to fund any recreation projects. For the proposed Winchester bike park, BTL Excavation and Construction has reportedly agreed to donate soil to form the mounds, and the use of their equipment if gas is paid for. Most of those commenting on a social media post about the project idea seem to agree that it would be a great way to give local youth something to do.

While this would not be a Township funded project, the Township would undoubtedly need to give approvals and have input. The insurance required has raised some questions, since the Township has been having difficulties with its insurance provider as of late, causing restrictive measures for some public events. Stefan has been in touch with the Director of Recreation and Culture so that the appropriate information can be presented to Council for deliberation.

Starting small in Winchester, Stefan thinks that a bike park, or a similar recreational amenity for youth, is something that could be built in each North Dundas village in the years ahead. It’s for the kids!

by Jane Adams

In a small community like Dundas County, it’s hard to keep a secret. At the WDMH Foundation, we have been quietly raising funds behind the scenes for the new Dundas Manor. As the construction start date gets closer, we are going to get louder! And we can’t wait to connect with the whole community to talk about this amazing new home.

And we have more good news. The shovels will be in the ground before the end of the year!

The new Dundas Manor will be more than double the size of the current home and will be two stories. It will have larger resident rooms, accessible spaces, more privacy and a lot more comforts of a traditional home that we all know and love. There will be larger dining and gathering spaces that bring people together. Every resident will have more privacy and their own window. And thirty additional residents will call Dundas Manor home.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will fund some of the cost of the new home, but not all of it. That’s where our community comes in. Dundas Manor has partnered with the WDMH Foundation to lead the community fundraising portion of this essential project.

“Our community has shown us that you care about Dundas Manor, and we are grateful for your support,” notes Kristen Casselman, Managing Director of the WDMH Foundation “We still have a significant amount of money to raise, but we know our community will be there, as they always have been.”

For 45 years, Dundas Manor has been keeping families together - even though they are living apart. It is truly a gift to our community and is an essential part of our local healthcare system. Care close to home really does make a difference in our wellbeing, healing, and overall happiness. Together, we will build the new Dundas Manor.

Now that the secret is out, watch for more details in mid-June about how you can help build the new Dundas Manor, as it will take a lot of community support to make this long-awaited dream a reality. As part of our efforts, some fundraising events are being planned, including The Grand Parade on September 16 and Sapphires & Snowflakes on November 18. More on these fabulous events later.

And if you can’t wait to learn more about the new home, please contact Kristen Casselman at 613-7742422 ext. 6169. It would be wonderful to hear why the Manor matters to you. We can share the designs of the new home with you, have you into the current home for a tour, and discuss how you would like to help.