Although tens of thousands of words have been written on the subject, none could fully express the sheer tragedy of the Humboldt bus crash.
The accident left 16 dead, 23 injured and an impact that reached across the country, the continent and around the world.
While few can truly appreciate the agony the families of the victims and the survivors are going through, it has been stunning to watch as people around the planet have stepped up to help.
A gofundmepage that started as an idea to buy refreshments to help families as they waited for news at the hospital has become an awe-inspiring campaign that is closing in on $12 million raised. Only one gofundme campaign has raised more money – TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund.
It will be interesting to see what is done with that money. Splitting it up among the victims and their families would help with a lot of costs associated with grieving and funerals. There might also be an opportunity for a permanent endowment fund that can be used to support players who suffer trauma.
The worldwide support demonstrates people’s unique ability to come together to support their fellow humans in times of crisis.
It is also a grim reminder that we can’t predict when disaster will strike and how it might shatter the lives around us, or even our own.
The best we can hope for is to be prepared as impossible as that might sound.
Blood and organ donations are an easy way to help the health care system prepare for mass medical emergencies and save lives. Yet, every year, Canada Blood Services puts out multiple calls pleasing for more donations. The reason is clear, according to the government of Canada only 1 in 60 Canadians donate blood. That stat persists despite more than half of Canadians being in a situation where they or a family member has needed blood.
According to Canadian Blood Services, Canada requires around 20,000 units of blood on hand to meet its needs that range from emergency medical procedures to regular treatment for conditions such as leukemia. When a victim of a car crash can requires 50 units of blood and leukemia patients can need 80 units each week, blood supplies run low quickly. Translated: it can take up to 120 donors to save the two people in those examples.
Organ donation rates in Canada, although increasing in recent years, are lower than many other countries including the United States and the need continues to rise.
Donating is easy Canadian Blood Services holds regular clinics in Calgary and one is coming to the RancheHouse on May 21. For organs, Albertans can register to donate online at https://myhealth.alberta.ca/pages/otdrhome.aspx.
Tragedies like the Humboldt crash remind us that every day there are people who need our help and there are relatively simple things we can do to assist.
