Giving a Little. Helping A Lot.
Why our team donated blood — and why you might consider it too.
There are some moments in life that quietly remind us just how connected we all are.
Last night, our Park Memorial team gathered for a blood donor evening. Nine team members rolled up their sleeves — including three first-time donors — and gave something simple, yet profoundly powerful: time, compassion, and a small donation that has the potential to save lives.
And from where we stand, in a profession that walks alongside families during some of life’s most difficult moments, that act carries an even deeper meaning.
A Perspective Shaped by Our Work
In the funeral profession, we see firsthand how fragile and precious life truly is.
We witness the ripple effects of loss. We see the families, the stories, the futures that are forever changed in a single moment. Because of that, acts that support life — even in quiet, unseen ways — resonate deeply with us. Blood donation is one of those acts.
It is not dramatic.
It is not loud.
It is simply human kindness in motion.
And yet, it saves lives every single day.
The Reality: Canada Needs Blood Donors
Many people assume blood is always available when it’s needed. The truth is far more sobering.
• Only about 4% of eligible Canadians donate blood each year
• A patient in Canada needs blood every minute of every day
• One donation can help up to three people
• Blood and blood products are needed for surgeries, cancer treatments, trauma care, and chronic illnesses
Behind every statistic is a real person — a child in surgery, a parent in treatment, a trauma patient fighting for survival.
Someone’s loved one.
Why This Matters to Us, Professionally and Personally
Working in funeral service gives us a unique lens on community care. We are often present after life has been lost. Blood donors are part of the quiet chain of care that helps preserve life before that moment ever arrives. In many ways, donation is an act of prevention, hope, and compassion long before anyone knows they may need it.
It is a way of saying: “I may never meet the person this helps, but their life matters.”
That philosophy aligns deeply with the values we hold as a profession — dignity, service, and care for others, even when it requires something of ourselves.
A Small Act with Lasting Impact
For many of our team members, this was their very first donation. Like many people, they felt a mix of curiosity, nerves, and quiet pride. And afterward?
The most common response was simple: “I commit to donating again”. The process is safe, well-supported, and guided by trained professionals every step of the way. More importantly, it creates an immediate and tangible impact in our healthcare system and community.
Community Care Extends Beyond Our Walls
At Park Memorial, community care has always been at the heart of what we do. Supporting families does not begin or end at our doors — it extends into how we show up in the world. Donating blood is one of the most direct ways to care for the living, while honouring the value of every life.
It is quiet service.
It is compassion in action.
It is community, at its very best.
A Gentle Invitation
If you have ever considered donating blood, we encourage you to take that step.
You may never know the name of the person your donation helps. You may never see the story unfold. But somewhere, a life will continue — a surgery completed, a treatment made possible, a family given more time together — because someone chose to make that call and donate.
That someone could be you.
To learn more or book your appointment, visit Canadian Blood Services or connect with your local donation centre at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Give a little. Help a lot.
And be part of the quiet, life-saving chain of care our communities rely on every single day.
