Four years ago, SunMin Park (‘23) (then undergraduate and now master’s student) took an immunology class with Dr. Jill Rourke, learning about immune response in the context of blood, stem cell, and organ donations. Recognizing the national shortage in blood supply — especially after working at an emergency room during the pandemic — she realized she wanted to donate for the first time. 

“It was such an easy process to help save lives,” says Park. “I felt like we could try to do this on campus and encourage more young people to step up and roll their sleeves up. Having the opportunity to donate blood is something so small that could really mean a big difference for a lot of people in need.” 

With strict pandemic restrictions still in place in early 2022, Park organized a bus trip with six full buses to bring students to Moncton to donate. This became the largest group donation from a single partnership in the Eastern New Brunswick region during the pandemic.  

Beginning as a one-time thing, it was clear to Park students were interested in making this a long-term campus initiative — and MtA Gives Blood was born in 2022. Along with regular blood drives and stem cell swabbing events in Sackville, this included partnering with Mount Allison’s varsity women’s hockey team and joining a nation-wide initiative, Hockey Gives Blood, in 2023.  

A Hockey Gives Blood varsity women’s hockey game was organized in honour of then forward Lauren Steele’s (‘23) brother who passed away in an accident and had been an organ donor with three matches.  

“Having first-hand experience with the organ donation process, I learned truly how the act of giving can turn into something lifesaving,” says Steele. “Since then, I gained a deep appreciation for donating whether it may be blood donation or registering to become an organ donor. It was evident to me, that no act of giving is ever too small.” 
 
Steele became one of the first female university athletes to become a national Hockey Gives Blood ambassador, alongside acclaimed Canadian hockey players like Connor Bedard and Blayre Turnbull. Their role is to promote and raise awareness on the need for blood, stem cell, and organ and tissue donation.  
 
Fourth-year Hockey Mountie Island Bernard-Docker from Canmore, AB has been the ambassador for the past two years and will return to the role next year. She has been integral in helping organize the Hockey Gives Blood games and stem cell swabbing events, along with coordinating varsity team blood donations. She says this initiative is deeply personal for her. 
 
“After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, I experienced first-hand how health challenges can be beyond one’s control,” says Bernard-Docker. “During that time, I relied heavily on the support of those around me. I believe that donating blood is a simple yet powerful way to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those facing health struggles.” 
 
Canadian Blood Services Community Development Manager Brandy Peters (’10) says MtA Gives Blood has seen remarkable growth over the past two years and is now one of the leading Partner for Life organizations in Eastern New Brunswick. 
 
“Their support has been crucial in rallying local athletic teams and clubs to donate in Moncton and Sackville, greatly expanding our outreach and fostering increased participation,” says Peters. 
 
In 2024 alone, 137 donations were made by MtA Gives Blood team members, earning the top team donating honours. At the most recent Sackville Blood Drive, there were 59 new MtA Gives Blood donors — three times the number of new donors at previous events. The Swab at School stem cell recruitment event in February saw 132 students registered, more than double last year’s count. 
 
Park, who is the current advisor and former President and founder of MtA Gives Blood, was recently awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal for her outstanding efforts in raising awareness about blood donation. 

“Her dedication, along with the club's strong leadership team spearheaded this year by Dylan, continues to inspire and motivate students to get involved,” says Peters. 
 
Fourth-year biology student Dylan Kruger, this year’s MtA Gives Blood President, says donating blood wasn’t something many students had considered before getting involved with this initiative.  
 
“It [donating blood] has become a tangible and accessible way to give back,” says Kruger. “A lot of people are surprised by how simple the process is. Once you donate for the first time, you realize how easy it is to make such a big difference. It’s been rewarding to see an increasing number of students and community members getting involved with the club.” 
 
If you would like to learn more or get involved with MtA Gives Blood on campus, contact MtA Gives Blood at mtagivesblood@mta.ca.