As families in Rosemère juggle the whirlwind of school pickups, orientation events, and new routines, the town has issued a moving invitation that may well become one of the year’s most rewarding commitments. On September 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Place Rosemère (Door #4, Cour 640) will transform into a beacon of goodwill and community commitment—a Héma-Québec blood drive beckoning residents to lend more than just their time.
Situated in the Laurentides just north of Montreal, Rosemère is no stranger to communal spirit. Incorporated in 1947, the town’s name, derived from its founding settler J.P. Withers, poetically combines “Rose” with an old English word for lake—apt imagery for a town where the rhythm of daily life often echoes the flow of a river.
This year’s blood drive continues a legacy of partnership between the town and Héma-Québec—an organization born out of Canada’s need to rebuild trust in blood services following the tainted-blood crisis of the 1980s. That public health tragedy, which infected thousands with HIV and hepatitis C, prompted the Royal Commission of Inquiry (Krever Commission), whose findings led Quebec to establish its own arm’s-length blood agency, Héma-Québec, in 1998.
Since then, Héma-Québec has grown into a cornerstone of Quebec’s healthcare system—collecting and distributing blood, plasma, stem cells, mothers’ milk, and various human tissues, including the province’s only public cord blood and human tissue banks.
This multi-faceted mission underscores why every donation counts, whether in crisis response or everyday care.
“There’s so much going on in September,” acknowledges Rosemère Mayor Eric Westram. His words carry a sense of urgency softened by optimism: “If you have a free moment, why not take the opportunity to donate blood? In just one hour, you can make a simple but essential gesture for those waiting for a transfusion. One hour that can save lives.”
The town’s goal is modest yet powerful: 150 donors across the two-day drive. For Héma-Québec, each bag of blood can support surgeries, emergencies, or ongoing care for patients with chronic conditions. Appointment booking is encouraged—either via their website or by calling their hotlines—while eligibility can also be confirmed in advance.
For those uneasy at the prospect of needles, the reassurance is clear: trained professionals will be present to comfort and guide donors, turning what might be a moment of hesitation into a moment of quiet pride.
Rosemère’s embrace of this initiative feels natural. The town’s history—from its rural roots to its modern-day vitality—speaks of resilience and community flourishing. And Héma-Québec’s mission—a quarter-century strong—reflects a province’s resolve to protect and nurture life in all its forms.
As school bells ring and autumn leaves begin to fall, Rosemère is asking its residents to step away from the busyness, roll up their sleeves, and be part of something greater. In just one hour, amidst the swirl of routines and responsibilities, a quiet act of generosity may write the most meaningful chapter of someone’s story.
