Jean Bernier, a 72-year-old Quebec man, is considered the greatest blood donor in Canadian history. He has donated more than 1,700 times over the past 54 years, making him one of the most generous donors in North America. Bernier began his work at the age of 18, inspired by his parents. “We don’t know the people we’re helping, but we know they’re suffering less,” he says. “I just never stopped helping.”

Héma-Québec, in acknowledging this extraordinary sacrifice, noted that only 3 percent of Quebecers donate blood. Quebec is self-sufficient in whole blood, but still relies on imports for plasma, and the government plans to increase that rate from 30 to 42 percent.

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