Montreal Black History Month blood drive marks 15th anniversary

The 15th Annual Montreal Black History Month Blood Drive takes place Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at two locations: CÉDA in Little Burgundy and Plaza Côte-des-Neiges.

This is all part of The Round Table on Black History Month’s activities for February.

This year’s event highlights the importance of Black blood donors in supporting individuals with sickle cell anemia.

“Sickle cell also is a reality in the black communities. So we believe that by having this blood drive we hope that more black folks are going to show up and give blood, but everyone’s welcome,” said Michael Farkas.

With around one in 10 Black individuals carrying the gene for the condition, Black donors are crucial for effective blood transfusions.

According to Héma-Québec, it takes 130 matched donors annually to treat a single adult with sickle cell anemia.

“It’s a hundred thirty donors that we needed for one recipient who has sickle cell disease and who needs regular transfusion,” said Nadege Ceneston.

With its new blood drive location at Plaza Côte-des-Neiges, the organizers more than doubled the number of blood donations, increasing from 40 last year to 100 this Saturday.

For more details and to register, visit Héma-Québec.