OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - December 15, 2015) - This week, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, donated blood at a local clinic and encouraged all Canadians to #GiveLife this holiday season as part of Canadian Blood Services' Wrap It Up Red campaign.

"Minister Philpott heard the message that there's a need for blood over the holidays, particularly for the last two weeks of December," says Mark Donnison, vice-president of donor relations at Canadian Blood Services. "It's great to see the minister leading by example and encouraging others to give as well."

Following her donation, Minister Philpott was also "wrapped in red" with a new 'I Gave Life' bandage. The new red bandages, which launched this December at all blood donor clinics, are an opportunity for donors to show others that they gave life and encourage more people to join the movement.

"I know regular donors are busier this time of year, so I wanted to get in early to donate this holiday season and encourage other Canadians to give," says Minister Philpott. "Canadian Blood Services maintains a safe and steady supply of blood and blood products, and they're a part of our health-care system that we don't want to take for granted."

After donating, the minister spent some time with other donors, including a large group of students from a local high school.

The Wrap It Up Red holiday campaign reminds Canadians that by taking just one hour out of their schedule this December, they are helping to ensure other families are able to spend time with their loved ones.

For Canadians not eligible to donate blood, there are other ways to give life this holiday season:

• Register with the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network
• Register as an organ and tissue donor with your provincial authority
• Consider donating cord blood to the national public cord blood bank

This December, more than 125,000 appointments will need to be filled. To book an appointment to give, download the GiveBlood app or visit blood.ca.

About Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). We operate an integrated, pan-Canadian service delivery model that includes leading an interprovincial system for organ donation and transplantation. Our national scope, infrastructure and governance make us unique in the Canadian healthcare landscape. Canadian Blood Services is regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health. Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization.

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