The Pistons organization were out at the local Steinbach blood donor clinic Monday night to support Hockey Gives Blood.
Sales/Marketing Coordinator Lucas Pappel and Marketing Assistant Brighton Thiessen donated blood for the first time, while Head Coach and GM Paul Dyck scheduled an appointment for a future clinic. Captain Tyson McConnell, Tanner Mole, Matt Lenz, and Jack Kilroy were also on hand to thank those who were donating at the clinic.
The Hockey Gives Blood initiative was kickstarted in wake of the Broncos bus crash last April, and it invited a way for the hockey community to give back in a different path. Hockey Gives Blood has partnered with Canadian Blood Services, along with several different teams in the MJHL, CJHL, CHL, and the Maple Leafs, Flames, and Canucks in the NHL.
The Pistons became one of their partners this season, and will be hosting Hockey Gives Blood Night this Saturday at the TG Smith against the Winnipeg Blues. “It was a great opportunity to partner with Hockey Gives Blood, because many people within the Pistons and the MJHL were closely connected to the tragedy in some way,” Pappel said.
“Personally, my grandpa needed blood while battling cancer, and it gave us some more time to spend with him than our family expected,” Pappel added. “For me, it was an opportunity to do that for someone else.”
“My mom needed blood transfusions to help keep her alive while going through cancer treatment a few years back,” Thiessen shared. “That combined with the Humboldt accident last April, it was perfect timing to donate blood for the first time and give back to those who need it. I didn’t hesitate to say yes when asked.”
Come on down to the TG Smith Centre on Saturday night against the Blues at 7:30 pm, and book your first or next appointment to donate blood at the next clinic in Steinbach.