With the help of many local community sponsors and very generous fans Logan Stankoven’s Charity Night was a tremendous success raising over $41,000 in support of Canadian Blood Services.

Theses funds raised through donations and the online jersey auction will support the vital efforts of Canada’s Lifeline - from recruitment of more blood, plasma, stem cell and organ and tissue donors to world-class research.

The event was also a moment to celebrate Riel and his family during the ceremonial puck drop. At just 7 months old Riel (in burgundy shirt) was diagnosed with brain cancer and spent 2 years at BC Children’s Hospital. It is with thanks to blood donors and many others that Riel received over 78 blood transfusions during treatment. Riel was also a recipient of multiple platelet donations and successfully underwent a stem cell transplant. At the moment Riel shows no signs of cancer and continues to be an inspiration for many in the Kamloops community and beyond.

Special thank you to the Kamloops Blazers, the sponsors, everyone that donated and of course our volunteers!

Logan Stankoven of the Kamloops Blazers is hosting a charity night on March 11 in support of Canadian Blood Services.

Logan is a Hockey Gives Blood player ambassador and a member of the Kamloops community with a goal of raising $35,000 to help fund the vital efforts of Canada’s Lifeline – from recruitment of more blood, plasma, stem cell and organ and tissue donors, to world class research.

We hope you can show your support today by bidding on 1 of the 11 custom autograph jerseys that will help Logan reach his goal and save lives in Canada. 

Please click the link below to make a donation or bid on the jersey or your choice. Online auction is open now and closes on March 11 at 9:00pm.

https://can.givergy.com/logan/?controller=home

When Hockey Gives Blood ambassador Cole Schwindt heard that Easton, who has Aplastic Anemia and will undergo a stem cell transplant this week, was a Flames fan, he reached out to make sure this brave young man was all geared up for the season

At the end of November Player Ambassador Tyson Galloway took the time to meet up with Bode to start a friendship that will undoubtedly have an impact on them both.

Bode was 9 years old when he was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia in May 2021, an extremely rare bone marrow failure disease where the body destroys its own stem cells. Drug therapy failed, so Bode was put on the list to receive a bone marrow transplant. (No one in his family was a match for him.) Bode's health was very fragile for over a year. He was severely immuno-compromised (in the midst of a pandemic) and had to be home-schooled. Because Bode's body could not produce platelets and destroyed its own red blood cells, he was not allowed to play hockey or any other sports he loves, and had to be isolated from his friends. He ran a high risk of bleeds and infections. While he waited to find a stem cell donor, Bode needed over 25 blood transfusions and 65 platelet transfusions. Each one was literally life-saving for him.

In April 2022, after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, Bode received a stem cell transplant from an anonymous donor. What a gift!

It's a long road back to good health (Bode is still undergoing treatments) - but this has given him a shot at living a normal life again. Today he is back at school…. and back playing hockey with his friends.
Tyson currently plays for the Calgary Hitmen and is a drafted prospect of the St. Louis Blues. Tyson recently donated blood for the first time and will join Canadian Blood Services stem cell registry in January when Bode visits the team.

Comments from Bode’s mom Susanne Fox:
There are no words that appropriately sum up our gratitude to all the individuals who have donated blood and blood products to save Bode's life. Each time Bode received a blood/blood product transfusion - we could feel the support of our community, the everyday heroes who have taken time out of their busy lives to donate blood… and save his life, over and over again. We are humbled and forever grateful.

A sneak peek look at Player Ambassadors Logan Stankoven and Connor Bedard pre-filming for the new #BeAHero stem cell video. Hockey Gives Blood will be encouraging everyone between the age of 17 and 35 to join Canadian Blood Services stem cell registry. Over 80 diseases and disorders can be treated with a stem cell transplant including leukemia, lymphoma and aplastic anemia. Campaign runs January 23 - February 28.

Mandi Schwartz was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan on February 3, 1998 and was the sister of St. Louis blues forward and Stanley Cup Champion Jaden Schwartz. She excelled at hockey and eventually went on to play as a member of the Yale Bulldogs. While playing with the Bulldogs, Mandi was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and was told that her best hope for finding a cure was a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately, a stem cell donor was never found, and she passed away on April 3, 2011 at the age of 23.

In her memory, The Run for Mandi is an annual event in Saskatoon which helps raise awareness for the stem cell registry. Hockey Gives Blood is honoured to play a small part in this year’s event which takes place on August 24th at Al Anderson’s Source for Sports between 10am and 2pm. Join Hockey Gives Blood and become a registered stem cell donor. Not everyone who registers will be matched to a patient and asked to donate but each registrant provides hope for those waiting. People 17-35 can #getswabbed and register at the event or sign up online at blood.ca/stem-cells.