Article content continued

Nammoura, who was born and raised in Damascus, Syria, arrived here 20 years ago and has committed his life to volunteering to help other refugees.

“We have a saying in Arabic: ‘I will defend with my heart, and my soul and my blood. I will sacrifice with my life, with my soul and my blood.’

“It’s a way to affirm, to show how thankful they are about how they’ve been treated by Canadians.

“So many of them feel that at a time when the entire world turned their back on them, the only country that stood for them and helped them was Canada. This is like a dream land for them.”

Nammoura said he initially wanted to organize an event over the summer in response to a countrywide blood shortage he had read about. The response was huge, with hundreds of refugees wanting to give blood.

But because of strict screening regulations, the need for certified Arabic translators and gathering detailed information on donors’ health backgrounds, Nammoura said the event had to be postponed until the new year, and limited to 50 refugees for now.

“I have people calling me all the time, wanting to donate. It has really snowballed, everyone wants to give.”

Jhoanna Delrosario, Canadian Blood Services territory manager who helped organize the event at Eau Claire, said the refugees who will give on New Year’s Day are making an important contribution.

“They are really making a difference, so we’re very grateful to them.

“They’re giving back to the community, they’re saving lives and giving the gift of life.”