By Ryan-Alexander McLeod for North Delta Reporter
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Const. John Jasmins had donated blood on Aug. 19. He was not eligible to do so but was at the event to speak to the need for donors as someone who has benefited from their generosity. The North Delta Reporter regrets the error.
If you needed a face to remind you why Canadian Blood Services is asking residents to donate platelets and plasma, Delta police Const. John Jasmins should be it.
The DPD officer and father of three spoke of the need for donors at the Sirens For Life blood drive kick-off on Sunday, Aug. 19, an annual event put on by CBS and B.C.’s first responders.
Just a year ago, Jasmins had been on the other end of a blood donation, needing four transfusions during open heart surgery.
| DPD Const. John Jasmins leaves North Delta Secondary with his children Brooklyn and Dante after sharing his story at Sirens For Life blood drive on Aug. 19, 2018. (Ryan-Alexander McLeod photo) |
“It wasn’t until my own medical situation last year when everything was really put into perspective.”
It can take as many as 50 blood donors to save a life, according to Canadian Blood Services, which manages Canada’s blood bank and puts out calls for donations.
“It made me really reflect on how precious our blood is, and it was all thanks to four strangers who took the time to donate their blood and save my life,” Jasmins said.
His wife Kristina agreed.
“I’m just so thankful that there are people who donate, and now [John] can be here to see his kids grow up,” she said. “We get to spend out lives together, and that means the world to us.”
| DPD Const. John Jasmins (right) needed four units of blood while undergoing open heart surgery a year ago. Jasmins was joined by his wife Kristina, their three children Brooklyn, Dante and baby Ari, and DPD Const. Kevin Dueck (left) and Staff Sgt. Dave Vaughn-Smith at the Sirens For Life blood drive at North Delta Secondary on Aug. 19, 2018. (Ryan-Alexander McLeod photo) |
“John’s story really puts everything in perspective for me,” Vaughn-Smith said.
“I’ve donated in the past, and like they say, it’s in us to give,” he continued.
“It’s really not that big of an inconvenience if you really think about it in regards to the effect it can have on someone’s life.”
It wasn’t just police officers at the event: firefighters and paramedics took part as well. Delta firefighter and first-time donor Dan Willing said he was glad to finally donate blood.
“As firefighters, we just want to help out as many people as we can,” he said. “That’s the basis of what we do. And what better way to help, really, than coming out here.”
The Sirens For Life blood drive will be running through Sept. 30 across the province. To find a nearby donation site, visit blood.ca or call 1-888-2-DONATE. Walk-in appointments are available at all clinic locations.
editor@northdeltareporter.com
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