Over the month of November, Canadian Blood Services worked with three CFL teams as well as local media stations to challenge communities in a blood drive.
The 4CC Football Blood Challenge brought the Calgary Stampeders, Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders together with radio stations Sunny 94/Kraze, Big 105FM and Zed 98.9 to rally donations in support of Canadian Blood Services.
Darin Clark of Sunny 94 took hold of the lead with 130 units of blood donated in four weeks. A total of 322 units of blood were collected in the duration of the challenge. Jamie Worthington of Big 105FM gathered a total of 100 units, while Travis Currah of Zed 98.9 was able to gather 92 units.
“I presented the trophy to Darin, and he was very taken aback that we had gotten his name engraved on the trophy. The Sunny 94 listeners and Eskimo fans in Central Alberta were tremendously supportive,” said Territory Manager of Canadian Blood Services Darrin Thompson.
The representative DJs from each radio crew encouraged listeners to donate blood and support each team in their goal of hoisting the Corpuscle Cup. A long-time local physician, Dr. Ron Onerheim, donated the Cup to encourage blood donations in Red Deer and the area.
Thompson said that all DJs led by example and donated on behalf of their teams.
The Corpuscle Cup was, according to Thompson, a predecessor of sorts for the Partner For Life program. The program encourages organizations and corporate groups – such as the Eskimos, Stampeders and Roughriders – to gather mass support and donate in groups.
“With a group, there is support and it becomes a fun thing to do. A lot of our corporate partners are looking at employee engagement activities that don’t necessarily include going to a pub. Instead, they are doing something as a group that allows them to give back to the community. It’s a win-win for everyone,” Thompson said.
The Football Challenge was successful and brought in 322 units. Thompson said that a car accident victim will typically require about 50 units of blood and that the 322 units could save multiple lives.
“In Central Alberta, having that many donations come in during the month is fantastic. Our organization is a national blood bank. We’re providing blood for local help centres but all of the blood is collected for a national goal. What we do here in Central Alberta helps people everywhere across the country.”