Donors watch previous media coverage of Sikh Nation blood drive events before it is their time to donate blood at Cloverdale Recreation Centre in Surrey on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Anna Burns/ Surrey Now-Leader)
All the appointments for the first day of the Sikh Nation's annual blood donation campaign event in Surrey were fully booked, organizers said.
The Surrey blood donation event is taking place on Friday (Nov. 7) from noon to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday (Nov. 8) from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the Cloverdale Recreation Centre (6188 176 St).
Jastej Kaur, a volunteer, stated that no appointment is necessary for Saturday, as it is a walk-in service only. Those unable to donate can meet with a volunteer onsite who will help them schedule an appointment at a later date at a location near them.
Kaur said the event was very emotional for her and many of the people involved.
"This is a very emotional response to what has been done to Sikhs in 1984," Kaur said. "A lot of people are actually directly impacted by what has happened, but actually a lot of donors that come in, and even volunteers like I myself, I was born after 1984, I was born in Canada as well, so this shouldn't necessarily impact me, because I wasn't part of it, but hearing the stories and hearing what has been done to our people and just people in general, it drives a really emotional response from everyone, and we're always sure to talk about the events that happened to ensure that no one forgets."
Organizers set up an exhibit in English and Punjabi to give people an overview of what happened during the Sikh genocide.
"It was a blood drive that started as a remembrance of the 1984 Sikh genocide that happened in India, but along the way, it's evolved into this living monument of lives that were lost in that tragic event and lives that have been saved in the 27 years this campaign has been going on," Kaur said.
There is, however, so much hope, Kaur said.
"When I go in now and I see that six-year-old volunteer, that does something to me," Kaur said. "We can all have faith knowing that this living monument that we have all been a part of will continue to grow and blossom and no one will ever forget."
It takes thousands of volunteers to put on the Surrey event and similar ones across the country every November.
Kaur has been volunteering at this event since she was four years old.
"I have been with the campaign from its very early days, and I have grown up through it, and I've seen the breadth of volunteers that we have," said the Newton resident. "I think the most unique thing about this campaign is that it is not an organization or non-profit, but it's an organized group of volunteers."
Surrey resident Gurpreet Ranu originally heard about the blood drive through friends.
"When I came, I just received so much love from the donors and all the volunteers, and I just haven't left," Ranu said.
Ten years later, he is still volunteering for the event.
This year marks the 27th anniversary of the campaign, and it is one of Canadian Blood Services' most significant contributors to its Partners for Life program. The program is designed for organizations and community groups to raise awareness about the importance of blood donations, hosting a blood or plasma donation event, or supporting the stem cell or organ donation registry.