Windsor autoworkers mark 700th blood donation after nearly three decades of giving

A group of blood donors is celebrating their 700th collective donation. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has the details.

What started as a workplace initiative on the midnight shift has grown into a nearly 30-year tradition for a group of Windsor, Ont.-area autoworkers marking their 700th collective blood donation.

The group, known as “Blood, Burgers and Beer,” gathered Wednesday for lunch before heading to a mobile blood donation clinic in Windsor, a ritual they have followed every eight weeks since forming in 1999.

Founding member Ted Rocheleau said the idea began when he learned Chrysler workers could be excused from their shift to donate blood.

“When I got into Chrysler, they offered a program where they would cover us to go and donate blood. So, I started donating on my own,” Rocheleau explained.

“I came over to plant three, was talking to my partner across from me, and I said, ‘Hey, do you donate blood?’ He goes, ‘Yeah, sometimes.’ I go, ‘Hey, let’s donate together.’ So, we started donating together. We slowly recruited new people, and that’s how we started.”

Working steady midnights at the time, the group originally called itself “Blood and Breakfast.” As shifts changed and members moved to different jobs — and later into retirement — the name evolved, but the commitment remained.

“We’ve been doing it for almost 30 years, which is crazy. I never would have thought it,” Rocheleau said.

“And it’s a good time to socialize and catch up with the guys.”

The group has navigated clinic closures and schedule changes over the years, travelling at times to Chatham and Kingsville to stay on the same eight-week rotation. When Windsor’s permanent clinic closed, members said they were among the last groups to donate there.

Michael Anscombe, an autoworker from Leamington making his 149th donation, said the experience has strengthened friendships forged on the factory floor.

“It’s just the friendship, right? You build this up over all these years. This is family for us because we spent so much time together working in the factory,” Anscombe said.

While the lunches provide an opportunity to reconnect, members say the purpose remains clear.

“It’s pretty exciting, especially when we give blood,” Rocheleau said.

“We do it because we can. We’re healthy enough that we can do it. We know that blood donation is important, and people out there need blood.”

Canadian Blood Services says regular donors are vital to maintaining supply, particularly during periods of disruption.

“Just at the end of January, that last cold spell, we lost 1,500 donations across the country,” said Greg Friest, business development manager for the Windsor area with Canadian Blood Services.

“So, the need is constant.”

Friest called the group’s long-standing commitment “fantastic” and said initiatives like theirs help build stability in the blood system.

“This is what it’s all about, having groups like this that started in 1999 and here they are,” he said.

“It’s a great way to give back to your community and have a little bit of fun while you’re doing it.”

The group said it welcomes new members — with one light-hearted condition.

“To get a new guy in, they’ve got to know that when they come for the first time, they’re paying for the lunch,” Rocheleau said with a laugh.

“So, we know he’ll come back for his free lunch.”

As for what comes next, member Steve Niedzielski already has his sights set on another milestone.

“I’m looking forward to 1,000,” he stated.

“I want to hang in there until 1,000.

“It’s something I’m proud of, I’m happy to tell people about,” he added.

“And I hope to continue doing that for a long time.”

In the meantime, the group plans to continue meeting every eight weeks — sharing a meal, rolling up their sleeves and adding to a total nearly three decades in the making.