**MEDIA RELEASE**

Blood Donor Clinic Paroisse

St. Dominique Hall

720 Park Street

Monday April 2nd: 4pm-8pm

Tuesday April 3rd: 11:30as-2:30pm and 4pm-8pm

Wednesday April 4th: 11am-2pm 

Calling on all donors in Timmins and area to donate blood next week. Please find attached a poster for a very special clinic that is being held in honour of Owen Fodchuk.  Please share the attached poster with your co-workers, community contacts, family and friends and encourage them to donate blood. Below is a message from Grace and Corry Fodchuk:

Owen received his first heart surgery in utero prior to birth at 25 weeks gestation in order to have a chance of survival.  Less than 24 hours after birth, Owen received an emergency intestinal surgery, followed by his first open heart surgery.  During his eight months stay at The Hospital for Sick Children, Owen underwent his second open heart surgery, followed by two stomach surgeries all before the age of 1.

Owen received 19 blood transfusions because of surgeries and low hemoglobin, enabling him to survive and fight his ongoing battle. Without blood donations, children like Owen and others who are fighting big battles would not be able to survive. 

On May 7th, 2018, Owen will be heading into another heart catheterization to have his heart closely examined along with the pressures in his lungs. Mom (Grace) Dad (Cory) are looking forward to Owen’s big 4th birthday party in July, just before he heads into his next open heart surgery in the fall of this year.

Owen will once again require blood transfusions during and after surgery!

Thank you to everyone who has come out to donate and who continue to donate at the Timmins blood donor clinics. You are making a difference in saving lives.  The gift of blood is the gift of life.

 

To book your appointment to save a life, go to www.blood.ca or call our toll free line at (1 888 2DONATE) 1 888 236 6283. 

Thank you,

Joanne Drake, Territory Manager

Canadian Blood Services/Société canadienne du sang
(work) 705-674-2636 ext 4857
(cell)   705-665-0776
(fax)    705-688-7393
Toll Free 1-866-688-7400 ext. 4857