Chilliwack’s Tzeachten First Nation honoured by Canadian Blood Services for years of support

A Chilliwack Indigenous community has been recognized by Canadian Blood Services (CBS) for its years of ongoing support.

Tzeachten First Nation was recognized with a ‘regional partner award’ in the 2021 Honouring Canada’s Lifeline event for helping CBS collect more than 10,000 units of blood at its community hall.

“Chief Derek Epp and Tzeachten First Nation have supported Canadian Blood Services for seven years,” said Gayle Voyer, associate director of donor relations and collections with CBS. “Because of their generous discount for the use of the Tzeachten First Nation Hall, we’ve been able to host over 100 events and collect over 10,000 blood donations from individuals in the Sardis community of Chilliwack.”

Honouring Canada’s Lifeline is an annual event which celebrates the people and organizations at the heart of Canada’s blood system.

Epp said it was “an honour” to be recognized by CBS.

“I come from the perspective that our society needs to work as a collective to support all citizens of Canada, this is the Indigenous perspective,” Epp said. “For Tzeachten First Nation, supporting services that have impacts on our collective society is a responsibility and we are always happy to step up and play our part.”

Honouring Canada’s Lifeline recognizes organizations and individuals across Canada every year. Awards are handed out to folks who go above and beyond to support CBS by volunteering at clinics, recruiting blood donors, donating blood themselves, and more.

They are recognized in the four CBS regions: British Columbia and Yukon (BCY); Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwest Territories (PRN); Ontario and Nunavut (ONN); and Atlantic (ATL).

Tzeachten was one of four regional partners recognized in 2021. The other three were: ATCO in the PRN region, Wilfrid Laurier University in the ONN region and Genoa Design International in the ALT region.

“We are just one of many organizations that step up to the call to support and we look forward to continuing with our relationship,” Epp said.

Voyer added that CBS is “immensely grateful” to partners like Tzeachten for their cooperation, understanding and support, especially throughout the pandemic.

“Thanks to the inspiration and commitment of Tzeachten First Nation and other honourees, blood donations across Canada since the onset of COVID-19 have helped maintain the national blood inventory,” Voyer said.

The next clinic date with available appointments to donate blood at Tzeachten First Nation is Monday, March 7. To book an appointment, call 1-888-2-DONATE. For more info, go to blood.ca.

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