The holiday season shines with moments of joy and connection, but imagine the difference we could make if our giving extended beyond wrapped packages to something even more profound: the gift of life.

I received a call this week from Canadian Blood Services, asking me if we would again promote our engagement with the Canadian Blood Services’ Partner for Life (PFL) Program.  “Yes,”  I said gladly – “That will be the theme for our upcoming newsletter!”

Each day, someone in Canada depends on a stranger’s generosity to survive. A young child battling leukemia, a mother recovering from a traumatic accident, or a father undergoing heart surgery—they all rely on the selfless act of donation. Yet, during the holiday season, when the need is greatest, donations often decline.

For me, giving blood or platelets has been one of the most meaningful ways to give back. My 100 donation certificate hangs proudly on my wall, not as an accolade but as a reminder of the lives touched by such a simple act. My parents both required whole blood for their open-heart surgeries, and friends of mine battling cancer depended on platelets as part of their treatment regime. I often think about those who may never know our names as donors, but will always be connected to us through the thread of life. It’s humbling.

Many of our members of Age-Friendly Business® as well as some of their clients have already registered with this program and we celebrate and thank you.  For those who are considering ways to participate, (members, clients, family and associates) we encourage and welcome you to join us. 

Not everyone can donate blood, and that’s okay. Whether it’s for medical reasons or other barriers, there are many ways to support this life-embracing cause. But for those of us who can, isn’t it amazing that such a simple act can have such a far-reaching impact? One selfless donation—just an hour or so of your time—can save up to three lives.

Canadian Blood Services: Guardians of Life
Canadian Blood Services ensures every donation is a gift of hope and healing. Their work goes far beyond collecting blood:

1. Blood for Life: They collect, test, and manufacture blood products, ensuring they’re safe and ready to meet the needs of surgeries, trauma care, and cancer treatments.
2. Plasma for Life: Plasma donations are transformed into life-saving medications for patients with immune deficiencies or chronic conditions.
3. Stem Cells for Life: Stem cell registries and cord blood banks connect donors with patients fighting diseases like leukemia.
4. Organs and Tissues for Life: They oversee national transplant registries and work to make organ and tissue donation policies more inclusive.
5. Research and Innovation: Their advancements in transfusion and transplantation science improve outcomes not only in Canada but globally.

These services are the backbone of countless success stories. Behind every statistic is a person—a child, a parent, a friend—given another chance at life because of a donor like you.

A Gift That Multiplies
The impact of giving doesn’t stop with the recipient. It ripples outward to their families, communities, and beyond. When we donate, we’re not just giving a medical product; we’re offering hope, healing, and the chance for someone to make more memories with their loved ones.

This December, through Age-Friendly Business®’s partnership with Canadian Blood Services, we invite you to make giving about more than gifts. Join us in donating dollars, blood, plasma, platelets, or stem cells—or spread the word to inspire others. Together, we can create a season of true generosity and life-changing impact.

Rhonda Latreille, MBA, CPCA
Founder& CEO
Age-Friendly Business®

p.s.  Since 2003,  Age-Friendly Business® has trained many thousands of professionals and businesses committed to learning how to elevate the quality of the client, customer, and community experience.  They are called Certified Professional Consultants on Aging (CPCAs) and Age-Friendly Businesses.  They have earned the right to ask for your business.