Dayna Haines knows it's in you to give and potentially change the lives of two people at the same time.
Dayna Haines knows it's in you to give and potentially change the lives of two people at the same time.
She is participating in the Assignment Saving Lives Bursary program which empowers Grade 11 and 12 students and post-secondary students to recruit blood donors during the summer months, when donations are typically lower but still very much necessary. Students who recruit at least 25 donors have a chance to win a bursary to help pay for their tuition.
"I thought it would be a good challenge," said Haines, who had a friend attempt Assignment Saving Lives last year but fell short of registering 25 donors.
A bursary of $1,000 is given to the student in Canada who registers the most donors and a bursary of $1,500 is given to the student who registers the most new donors. After that, any student who achieves the goal of 25 donors is entered in a draw to win one of 16 bursaries for $250 or $1,500. Haines said there is about a one in three chance of winning.
As of Friday, Haines had surpassed the 25 donors benchmark, but is still looking to sign up more blood donors for the clinics she has scheduled on Wednesday, June 26 and Monday, August 26. Both clinics will be held at the Assiniboia Park Elementary School from 2 to 8 p.m. Blood donors can still register their donation from anywhere in Canada to count towards Haines' total by registering with her Partner ID number (DAYN014037) at the time of donation or visit https://www.blood.ca and click on the the "forms" link on the left hand side of the page under the "Book an Appointment" section.
Haines said donating blood is so important because it can save lives. Not only is it used in emergency situations, but also to treat cancer. Haines said she felt people didn't realize how much is needed for each cancer treatment.
For luekemia, eight pints of blood, which is eight donations, are required for each treatment. For every other type of cancer, five pints are needed.
Those who wish to track Haines' progress can join her Facebook group, Donate Blood - Assignment Saving Lives to Support Dayna Haines.
