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55 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, July 30, 2009 Health Oakville Beaver Emergency workers answer Sirens for Life Police, fire, and paramedic services are pumping up to launch Sirens for Life, the annual summertime bloody battle with a lifesaving goal. The Canadian Blood Services' blood donor challenge runs now until Aug. 31 and the three services will compete throughout the summer to donate the most blood. Although the competition for bragging rights is friendly, every police, fire or EMS participant knows the importance of having blood available when it is needed. Canadian Blood Services forecasts it needs to collect 226,000 units of whole blood, including 25,000 units of O negative blood type nationally during June, July and August to meet hospital demand throughout the country. The goal of Canadian Blood Services and the Sirens for Life 2009 participants is 1,000 units of blood and 100 new One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network registrants to help meet hospital demand this summer. As we continue with our summer holidays, Canadian Blood Services urges local residents to join emergency services staff and donate at local clinics. An increase in hospital demand last summer led to the need for Canadian Blood Services to call on donors nationwide as the national blood inventory was depleted by 40 per cent. "Fire, police, and emergency medical services' employees are rolling up sleeves and going `vein-to-vein' during this lifesaving battle to donate the most blood for their community, but they need others to donate too," said Karolina Remplakowski, community development co-ordinator for Canadian Blood Services. "Emergency workers are on the frontline every day and know lives can change in an instant. Anyone can need blood anytime," said Remplakowski. To make an appointment to give blood, to learn more about eligibility requirements, or to join the Sirens for Life challenge, call 1888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Visit blood.ca to find clinic locations near you. To learn more or register on the One Match Stem Cell and Marrow Network, visit onematch.ca. Going to great lengths The first annual Swim for Mental Health fundraiser will be hosted by Brookdale Swimming Pool the week of Aug. 10. That's when organizer Frank Zamuner will complete his goal of swimming 1,000 lengths of the pool -- and raising cash towards the purchase of essential equipment for the Mental Health Unit at OTMH and the Mental Health Day Program. Among Zamuner's goals for the event is raising awareness about mental health illnesses and eliminating the stigma attached to them. "In 2005 I had a triple bypass operation. When I came home after surgery to recover, I found it very hard not to do anything as I was a very active person before the surgery. I had a difficult time sleeping and eventually I got depressed," said Zamuner. "While looking for help, I found out how great a need there is for psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and related medical equipment. Depression does not discriminate; it affects people from all walks of life, young and old, rich and poor. I have been fortunate to receive excellent care from OTMH and found out that it helps to be active when you suffer from depression. Simply put, I feel better after swimming," said Zamuner. From swimming every day, Zamuner realized he could turn his activity into a fundraiser to help patients of OTMH's mental health program. The Swim for Mental Health fundraiser will take place from Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug. 14 between 12:30-2 p.m. Zamuner hopes residents will support him anyway that they can, from pledging him, to making a donation, to helping him complete his goal of 1,000 lengths of the pool. All are also welcome to come down to Brookdale Swimming Pool to cheer him on. Fundraising initiatives help the Oakville Hospital Foundation raise more than $3 million annually to support essential medical equipment needs at OTMH. For more information, visit the Oakville Hospital Foundation's website at www.oakvillehospitalfoundation.com. RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER ANSWERING THE CALL: Police, fire, and paramedic services are participating in Sirens for Life, the annual summertime bloody battle with a life-saving goal.The Canadian Blood Services blood donor challenge began on July 1 and continues through Aug. 21. The three emergency services are competing throughout the summer to donate the most blood. Lorraine Bruce, a registered nurse, obtains blood from Annmarie Lavecchia, from Oakville, a recent graduate of Humber College's Police Foundations program. A little help goes a long way · Autism · Cerebral palsy · Down syndrome · Muscular dystrophy · Traumatic injury · Deafness · Blindness · Spina bifida · Stroke DENTURES LIMITED TIME OFFER ErinoakKids helps kids with disabilities to be all they can be You can help us help kids! 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