The Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club, SaskEnergy and Canadian Blood Services hit the practice field at University of Saskatchewan Griffiths Stadium today to kick off Bleed Green season four.
Bleed Green is a season long partnership aimed at raising awareness about the need for blood by encouraging fans across the province to share their Rider Pride through blood donation.
Jim Hopson, Saskatchewan Roughriders president and CEO, announced this year the Riders signed on as a Canadian Blood Services' Partner for Life. The football club joins more than 300 partner organizations in the province that make an annual commitment to give blood as a team.
"For our first year, we've pledged 505 blood donations, or 101 blood donations a month during the Bleed Green campaign, in honour of the 101st Grey Cup," said Hopson. "We don't have enough arms to do this alone. We need our Rider faithful to give blood, if you can, and tell everyone you know to join us in helping save lives by Bleeding Green."
Every month, Canadian Blood Services needs to collect more than 4,000 blood donations in Saskatchewan to meet the needs of patients like Mitchell Bossaer, who shared his story at the media launch.
At age 13, Bossaer was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that most commonly affects teens. He received 24 blood transfusions during his treatment. While the cancer eventually took his leg, it did not slow him down. Today, 18-year-old Bossaer is cancer free and a member of Canada's Junior Wheelchair Basketball Team. He will lead the Canadian flag on to Taylor Field at the July 7 home game.
"I want to thank blood donors for giving me a life after cancer. There's truly no other way to put it; I would not be where I am today without blood donors," said Bossaer.
"Many of our lives have been touched by someone who needed blood. That's why we are very proud to be a partner with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Canadian Blood Services and are pleased to, once again, be the presenting sponsor of the Bleed Green Campaign," said Trish Watier, assistant manager of community relations with SaskEnergy.
To Bleed Green, attend a Canadian Blood Services clinic in Saskatchewan during the regular season for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2013 Grey Cup. No blood donation required. The campaign runs until October 24.
