4th annual Muslim Awareness Week blood drive underway in Montreal, Laval
Posted January 28, 2026 11:26 am.
Last Updated January 28, 2026 5:39 pm.
A blood donation drive, part of Muslim Awareness Week, is taking place this week in Montreal and Laval.
Now in its fourth year, the blood drive – in partnership with Héma-Québec – invites people to give blood and plasma to help save lives.
Until Saturday, Quebecers can give blood at Globule Versailles on Sherbrooke Street; the Héma-Québec Donation Centre in Kirkland; and Globule Laval on Le Corbusier Boulevard.
“It’s very important for us, Héma-Québec, to join with people from different cultures, different communities, because we need diversity in our bank,” said Hélène Laprade, a donor recruitment consultant with Héma-Québec.
Organizers say each donation is a symbol of “humanity, compassion, and collective responsibility.”
The blood drive was created in the years following the deadly Jan. 29, 2017, shooting at a mosque in Quebec City that claimed the lives of six worshippers and injured many more.
“The idea behind it is that on one hand you had a gunman that entered into the Islamic Center and took the life of six innocent men, where blood was spilled of innocent men just for being Muslim. On the other hand, Muslims are called during this week especially, but throughout the year, to give blood in order to give life,” said Jawad Kanani, an administrator and board member of Muslim Awareness Week.
Organizers stress that plasma donations are especially needed. About 70 per cent of the province’s plasma supply is still purchased from the United States.
