SaskTel celebrates 100 blood donor clinics

June 9, 2010

Canadian Blood Services congratulates SaskTel and its employees on the occasion of SaskTel’s 100th Blood Donor Clinic in Regina, June 9th and 10th. Employees in Regina and in communities across the province will be encouraged to participate in this milestone event by donating blood at local blood donor clinics to contribute to SaskTel’s provincial total.

SaskTel has been an active participant in the Canadian Blood Service’s Partners For Life (PFL) program since the program began. The PFL program provides an opportunity for organizations across Canada to join forces with the Canadian Blood Services to provide a healthy blood supply for patients in need. For 45 years, SaskTel employees have shared their lifeblood as their commitment to ensuring the Saskatchewan community stays healthy. SaskTel employees have donated more blood per capita than any of their Canadian telecom counterparts.

“We are honoured to have such an amazing partner that is consistent in generating blood donations every year. SaskTel’s employees should be commended for their dedication and support to making our community healthier with their blood donations. Since the organization began donating, they have saved and improved the lives of thousands,” stated Jamie Lewis, Community Development Coordinator, Canadian Blood Services. “SaskTel employees have a long track record of making a positive impact in their communities,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel. “Thank you to all employee blood donors, past and present, for choosing to give the gift of life.”

“SaskTel is proud to celebrate this employee-led effort to help those in need,” said Robert Watson, SaskTel President and CEO. “We’d like to thank a great partner, Canadian Blood Services, for making our clinics possible.”

Last year, SaskTel’s employees donated 554 units of blood and have set a goal of 700 units to be collected by the end of 2010. SaskTel employees have donated more than 23,000 units of blood since the first SaskTel clinic in 1965.

SaskTel’s 100th clinic celebration happens to coincide with the summer season, a time when a decline in donations is seen due to summer holidays and a change in normal routine.

To book an appointment to give blood, please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Visit www.blood.ca/eligibility for more information on giving blood.

About Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. Canadian Blood Services also oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Canadian Blood Services operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. The provincial and territorial Ministries of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system. For more information, please visit www.blood.ca.

About SaskTel

Saskatchewan Telecommunications Holding Corporation (SaskTel) is the leading full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, with $1.15 billion in annual revenue and more than 1.4 million customer connections including more than 550,000 wireless accesses, 543,000 wireline network accesses, 225,000 Internet accesses and 77,000 Max™ (TV) subscribers. SaskTel offers a wide range of communications products and services including competitive voice, data, Internet, entertainment, national security, messaging, cellular, wireless data and directory services. In addition, SaskTel International offers software solutions and project consulting in countries around the world. In 2009, SaskTel contributed more than $651 million to the Saskatchewan economy through dollars spent with Saskatchewan-based suppliers and sponsorships to non-profit organizations. SaskTel and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have a workforce of approximately 4,800 employees. Visit SaskTel at www.sasktel.com.

 

Media Contacts:

Andy Tate, SaskTel Media Relations
Telephone: 306-777-4548
Email: andy.tate@sasktel.com

Candace Weimer
Communications Specialist, Saskatchewan
Canadian Blood Services
Office: 306-347-1628
Mobile : 306-540-6057
Email: candace.weimer@blood.ca