Three student groups at The University of Western Ontario’s Faculty of Law have joined forces to announce their membership in Canadian Blood Services’ Partners for Life Program, and issued a challenge to all other law schools in Canada.
The students will host a Blood Typing clinic and two Blood Donor Clinics to raise awareness of the constant need for blood and blood products. They have also challenged all other Canadian law schools to make as many blood donations as possible by Dec. 31.
The initiative is jointly spearheaded by the Graduate Law Students’ Association, the Jewish Law Students’ Association and the Muslim Law Students’ Association – with the support of the Student Legal Society.
“This unique cooperation allows us to position the Faculty of Law at Western in a true leadership role in Canada,” says Tom Weihmayr, president of the Graduate Law Students’ Association. “We are pleased to bridge the gap between our students’ desire to do something for others, while implementing a long-term, sustainable plan that provides an immediate life-saving benefit to those who need blood.”
The need for blood is significant and ever-present, but more so during the holiday season, with 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or medical treatments.
While it is estimated that nearly half of all Canadians are eligible to give blood, last year only one in 60 did.
The Typing Clinic will take place in the student lounge in the Law building on Nov. 22 from 12:30 to 2 p.m., with the Blood Donor Clinics to be held Nov. 24 at Huron University College and Nov. 30 at the University Community Centre, both from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.