In the heart of Plessisville, a community-driven effort is preparing to tackle a critical healthcare challenge. The polyvalente La Samare is organizing its 16th annual blood drive, an event that leverages the energy of students to support the provincial blood supply in Quebec.
Scheduled for April 27, the Collecte de sang La Samare aims to mobilize a significant number of volunteers to meet a rigorous target of 500 donors. The event will take place at the institution’s gymnasiums, operating from 1:00 p.m. To 8:30 p.m. This initiative highlights the vital role that school-based recruitment plays in maintaining blood reserves for patients in need.
The drive is led by a dedicated team, including collection managers Rose-Emy Martel and Suzanne Boilard, with Maude Boissonneault of Lyster serving as the honorary president. To ensure the goal is met, students have been tasked with recruiting family members, friends, and acquaintances, acting as the primary bridge between Héma-Québec and the local community.
The Critical Need for Blood Donations in Quebec
The importance of these community drives is underscored by the stark statistics regarding blood donation in the province. According to Olivier Lessard, a spokesperson for Héma-Québec, only 3% of the Quebec population currently donates blood via La Nouvelle. This small percentage of the population is responsible for sustaining the medical needs of the entire province.
Medical professionals emphasize that blood products are a necessity that can affect anyone at any time. Statistically, one in seven people will require blood products during their lifetime. Because of this, highly engaged donors and school-led recruitment efforts are essential for ensuring that hospitals have the necessary supplies to save lives.
The impact of a single donation is substantial; one pocket of blood can potentially help at least three different people. By educating students on the process—from the initial collection to the analysis of the blood—Héma-Québec aims to foster a lifelong commitment to philanthropy among the youth of Plessisville.
A Legacy of Community Impact
The event at polyvalente La Samare is not a latest phenomenon but a long-standing tradition of civic engagement. The 2025 event marked the 15th anniversary of the drive, which was themed “ReconnaiSANG depuis 15 ans” via La Nouvelle. During that milestone year, the organization similarly targeted 500 donors, which was an increase of 50 donors over the previous year’s goal.
The human element of these drives is often what motivates the student recruiters. In previous years, students have heard firsthand accounts of how blood products are life-saving. For example, during the 15th anniversary drive, Sebastian Sarvan—who has a rare mutation of the NBAS gene and requires regular immunoglobulin—served as honorary president to sensitize students to the vital nature of these donations.
This tradition has established the polyvalente La Samare blood drive as one of the most significant school-organized collections in the province, demonstrating how educational institutions can serve as hubs for public health support.
Key Event Details for Potential Donors
- Date: April 27
- Location: Gymnasiums of polyvalente La Samare, Plessisville
- Hours: 1:00 p.m. To 8:30 p.m.
- Goal: 500 donors
- Organizing Body: Polyvalente La Samare in partnership with Héma-Québec
The next major checkpoint for the community is the event day on April 27, where the success of the recruitment efforts will be measured by the number of donors who arrive to contribute to the 500-person goal.
We encourage our readers to share this story to help raise awareness for blood donation. Please leave your thoughts or experiences with community blood drives in the comments below.
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