In hockey, every save can turn a game — and on Wednesday, the Montreal Canadiens are counting on a different kind of save, one that could change a life forever.
The Canadiens are welcoming hundreds of donors to the Bell Centre for the 44th annual Canadiens Blood Drive, held in partnership with Héma-Québec. The clinic runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with roughly 850 donors expected at the main entrance at 1909 Av. des Canadiens-de-Montréal.
Players, coaches, alumni and team mascot Youppi! are greeting fans throughout the day and thanking them for helping maintain Quebec’s critical blood supply.
Héma-Québec requires at least 1,000 blood donations every day to meet hospital needs across the province. The Bell Centre clinic is one of the organization’s major annual efforts to reinforce the collective reserve.
Most adults in good health can donate and may help save up to three lives with a single contribution.
The blood drive was launched in 1981 by Canadiens legend Jean Béliveau and former sports commentator and Montreal Forum announcer Claude Mouton. Over the past 43 years, it has collected 38,890 donations — estimated to have helped save roughly 116,670 lives.
The Canadiens have partnered with Héma-Québec on the event since 1998.
