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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, Ju ne 13 ,2 01 9 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA You never know what's waiting for you around the corner. Life is full of uncertainties. And sometimes the uncertainty of needing the gift of life - blood - may be knocking at your doorstep. Accidents, health problems and, sadly, shootings like the ones that have plagued Toronto, require that blood donations be made on a regular basis. For those of you who have been involved in a life- threatening accident or required a life-saving surgery, you've needed this gift to save your own. You know well the importance of donating to Canadi- an Blood Services. Espe- cially during the summer months. The need for blood doesn't take a sum- mer vacation. Donations tend to decline when peo- ple are on summer holi- days, but the need keeps coming. In fact, approximately every minute of every day someone in this country re- quires blood, according to the Canadian Blood Services - a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories, except Quebec. For those of us who haven't relied on its services, there's always a possibility you may need to one day. Blood donors are a vital link in Canada's lifeline. Canada relies entirely on the generosity and commit- ment of donors to keep the lifeline going. During Nation- al Blood Donor Week (June 10 to 15) and World Blood Donor Day tomorrow (June 14), blood donors are being celebrated across Canada. More than 100,000 new donors are required this year to help meet the need in Canada. Canadian Blood Servic- es is asking you to lend an arm by donating blood this week or sometime soon. Donating blood is one of the most direct ways you can help someone. Just one person who is seriously injured in a car crash could need as many as 50 blood donations to help save their life, according to Canadian Blood Ser- vices. It can take eight donors a week to help treat a child with leukemia. For more information about clinics in your area, or to book an appointment, call 1-888-236-6283 or visit www.blood.ca. This is your chance to give back. GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE Need for blood doesn't take a summer vacation SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA "I cannot afford to put my child somewhere safe during the day in order to work outside of the home to provide economically for my family. Providing a safe environment and good-quality child care for my child is not an op- tion for me due to the high cost of child care in our community." For a single mother living in Halton, the child-care cost for one in- fant can consume as much as 44 per cent of their median after-tax in- come because the aver- age infant spot costs ap- proximately $1,500 monthly. This would leave al- most no financial flexi- bility for other essential items such as housing, utilities, food, clothing and other basic necessi- ties. Ironically, those who care for our children are facing more barriers. Across Canada, 97 per cent of child caregivers are women and one in four require a second job to make ends meet. Early childhood edu- cators earn 40 per cent less on average than women with similar lev- els of education working full-time in other sectors. Making accessible, af- fordable, high-quality early learning and child care available to all fami- lies across Canada will grow the economy, pro- mote gender equality, in- crease women's labour force participation and enhance children's well- being and educational achievement. The benefits of a uni- versal, affordable, child care plan supported and funded by all levels of government would have a positive impact on our society and economy. The safety, well-being and quality of care of our children should be a top- ic that all political par- ties can get behind and support. The future of our soci- ety and economy de- pends on it. Sarah Sabihuddin is senior manager of com- munity impact for United Way Halton and Hamil- ton. THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES OF THE SINGLE MOTHER THOSE WHO CARE FOR OUR CHILDREN ARE FACING MORE BARRIERS, WRITES SABIHUDDIN SARAH SABIHUDDIN Column EDITORIAL