KC Jordan, LJI Reporter

The Pontiac Agricultural Society held its first-ever blood drive on Thursday afternoon in the Agricultural Hall at the Shawville fairgrounds.
The event was hosted in conjunction with Héma-Québec, the non-profit responsible for recruiting blood donors and managing blood donations in the province.
Volunteers helped to guide new donors through the process, which included a questionnaire, the blood donation itself, and a revitalizing snack.
Kayla McCann, a director with the society and the visionary behind the drive, said she wanted to bring blood donation to Shawville because up until now, people have had to go to Gatineau or Ontario if they wanted to give.
McCann contacted Héma-Québec a few months ago to get the ball rolling, and on Thursday was proud to see that all 70 appointments were booked, with even more people showing up as walk-ins.
“We have a lot of first-time donors,” she said, visibly excited that her vision was becoming a reality. “This is a big day.”
First-time donors were given stickers and pins with a big red heart and a number one, and were congratulated by the Héma-Québec staff for their contribution.
The blood drive was a family affair for the McCanns. Kayla’s father Tom was donating for the 32nd time and was also there as a volunteer, making sure donors each got a post-donation juice box and salty snack.
Mavis Hanna, the agricultural society’s general manager, said the fact that the drive is happening in the town of Shawville makes donating blood more accessible for those with mobility issues.
“People don’t have to drive out of our community to support it,” she said.
Nicolas Piednoel, the collections organizer for Héma-Québec in the Laurentides and Outaouais regions, said many people in the health system need blood donations for medical treatment.
“The needs of the hospitals are huge,” he told THE EQUITY in French at Thursday’s blood drive. “Every day Quebecers need 1,000 blood donations.”
According to Héma-Québec, the organization hosts over 2,000 mobile blood drives every year.
Piednoel said anyone who missed last week’s blood drive but who still wants to donate blood will have another opportunity this fall.
He said Héma-Québec was so impressed with the interest in Shawville that it is already planning to come back.