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2008-05-12 - Sirens for Life - Campaign Launch Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa Media Release SIRENS FOR LIFE – BUT PARAMEDICS CAN’T DONATE Canadian Blood Services launches Sirens for Life campaign at Paramedic Headquarters Monday May 12, 2008 Ottawa – Beginning Monday May 12, Ottawa Paramedics will be asking “if you have it in you to give”. This year, the Canadian Blood Services will launch their “Sirens for Life” blood campaign from the Ottawa Paramedic Service Headquarters (2495 Don Reid Drive). Patrick Lamoureux, Director of Community Services for the Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa wants blood donors to know “this is the time of year when the gift of life is needed more than ever”. Paramedics see a significantly higher incidence of trauma as soon as grad season begins. Lamoureux states, “Life-threatening traumatic emergencies remain high throughout the summer months as people take to the outdoors and engage in risk-related activities”. Trauma is the leading cause of preventable death for Canadians aged 0-44yrs and the vast majority of trauma patients require blood products to survive. Lamoureux wants the public to understand that paramedics really need their help, “Paramedics can’t donate whole blood products because we have very high-risk occupations due to constant exposure to communicable disease and deadly infection. Paramedics are restricted to platelet donations and that’s why we are asking the public to help us.” The Sirens for Life campaign will allow residents who attend any Ottawa blood donor clinic between May 12th and May 30th to donate their blood on behalf of police officers, paramedics or fire fighters. Donors can sign special oversized “In Honour” cards addressed to the emergency service professionals who keep the city safe and healthy every day. The cards will then be presented to representatives from each agency on May 30th. - 30 - Media are invited to the campaign launch. Chief Anthony Di Monte (Ottawa Paramedic Service) will introduce representatives from Canadian Blood Services, police and fire as well as special guest Ottawa Police Constable Claudio Escobar, who will share his incredible story about how his life was saved by donated blood. Date: Monday, May 12th 2008 Time: 10:30am – 11:30am Location: Ottawa Paramedic Service Headquarters (2495 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa) For additional information, please contact: Patrick Lamoureux, EMT-A (PCP) Director of Community Services & Car Seat Clinics Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa 300 March Road (4th Floor) Ottawa, ON K2K 2E2 Phone: (613) 244-0333 community@ottawaparamedics.ca www.OttawaParamedics.ca ADDITIONAL INFO: Donor Locations – Sirens for Life 2008 (1-888-2-DONATE) EVERY WEEKDAY – Canadian Blood Services (1575 Carling Avenue) EVERY WEEKDAY – Bloodmobile (see website below for locations) May 13 – L’Esplanade Laurier: 8:30am-02:30pm May 14 – L’Esplanade Laurier: 8:30am-02:30pm May 16 - Kanata Recreation Centre: 11:30am-3:30pm and 5:00pm-7:30pm May 21 - National Arts Centre: 9:00am-1:00pm May 26 - Walter Baker Centre: 4:30pm-8:00pm May 28 - Orleans United Church: 1:30pm-3:30pm and 5:00pm-8:30pm http://www.blood.ca/CentreApps/Clinics/inetclinics.nsf/CVSDE?OpenForm&City&OTTAWA& The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is responsible for promoting the practice of Paramedicine and ensuring the highest level of care for our patients. We are leaders in the advancement of Paramedicine and achieve our objectives through public awareness, research and education. We lobby for self-regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act. We also assist in fundraising for community-based charities. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa is a proud chapter of the Ontario Paramedic Association and the Paramedic Association of Canada. The Professional Paramedic Association of Ottawa (PPAO) is not a labour union. |