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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | 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 family of newspapers is comprised f 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 editor@oakvillebeaver.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeavfacebook.com/OakvilleBeavf @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss CONTACT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 289-293-0617 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We for verification purposes. We f reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM 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 im- portance of donating to Canadian Blood Services. Especially during the summer months. The need for blood doesn't take a summer vacation. Dona- tions tend to decline when people are on summer holidays, but the need keeps coming. In fact, approximately every minute of every day some- one in this country requires blood, according to the Cana- dian 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 Services. 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 INSIDEHALTON.COM "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. Providingfor my family. Providingf a safe environment and good-quality child care for my child is not an op-for my child is not an op-f 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 asfant can consume asf 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.facing more barriers.f Across Canada, 97 per cent of child caregivers are women and one in four require a second jobfour require a second jobf 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. full-time in other sectors. f Making accessible, af- fordable, high-qualityfordable, high-qualityf 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 andforce participation andf enhance children's well- being and educational achievement. The benefits of a uni- versal, affordable, child care plan supported and funded by all levels offunded by all levels off government would have a positive impact on our so- ciety and economy. The safety, well-being and quality of care of our children should be a topic that all political parties can get behind and sup- port. The future of our soci- ety and economy depends 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