Dr. Raj Sherman recognizes Sikh blood drive and drug awareness campaign in the Legislature
The Leader of the Official Opposition, leader of the Alberta Liberal Caucus Dr. Raj Sherman, rose in the Legislature on Wednesday and praised the annual campaign by Sikhs to donate blood to save lives. He also thanked Mr. Balwinder Singh Kahlon for his efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of drug abuse through his walk across Canada.
November 23, 2011 Alberta Hansard
The Speaker: The hon. Leader of the Official Opposition.
Sikh Community Annual Blood Drive
Dr. Sherman: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Sikh faith is about truth, justice, equality, and human rights. Sikhs are renowned for their contributions to the community and their good works. So today I want to thank all Sikhs in Canada and in Alberta for the annual acts of charity that have saved over 55,000 lives in Canada alone in addition to the hundreds and thousands who fought alongside all of our warriors to defend democracy in the world wars.
Before I do that, I’d like to recognize another way that Sikhs are helping our community. Mr. Bill Kahlon is in the Legislature today. He has led a team across the country, walking to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal drug use. Bill and his team represent a fine example of the good work Sikhs have accomplished across the nation. I’d like to thank him and his team today.
Thank you, Bill.
For over 10 years thousands of Sikhs around the world have participated in an annual blood drive to memorialize the many lives lost during the wave of anti-Sikh violence that erupted after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Sikhs have responded to this tragedy by giving life. Their annual blood drive has saved tens of thousands of lives since it began in 1999. Sikhs are donating blood in Edmonton and Calgary to continue this lifesaving tradition. The world’s Sikh community has responded to a great human tragedy with love, tolerance, charity, and hope.
This gift comes at a very opportune time, Mr. Speaker, for this month also marks the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. As an ER doctor and former STARS doc I can tell you how vital blood is for the survivors of car wrecks. As we gather on November 23 to remember those who have lost their lives in traffic collisions, we can be grateful that Alberta’s Sikh community is at this very moment giving the gift of life to Albertans who need blood transfusions, many of them traffic accident victims. How fortunate we are to have such generous souls in this province.
On behalf of the Official Opposition I thank the Alberta Sikh community for the annual drive.
