At Western Financial Group and Western Communities Foundation, giving back takes many forms. Through the Foundation's Give from the Heart Good Heart program, Western supports employee volunteerism by providing paid time to give back to our local communities. This summer, that commitment took the form of supporting Canada's Lifeline through a corporate blood drive with Canadian Blood Services.

As a first-time corporate blood drive initiative, the results exceeded expectations. Between July 1 and September 1, 2026, Western employees donated 62 units of blood and plasma across five regional teams. Even more impressive, the campaign inspired 43 new and reinstated donors, contributing to a year-to-date total of 82 donations.

These donations are more than numbers. Every blood or plasma donation has the potential to make a meaningful difference for patients across Canada who rely on blood products for surgeries, cancer treatments, medical procedures, and managing serious illnesses. Through the Partners for Life program, Canadian Blood Services brings organizations and community groups together to support a safe and reliable blood supply for patients across the country. A single donation can make a lifesaving difference, and collective efforts by workplace teams can have an even greater impact.

Western employees embraced that opportunity. Team members from Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, Ontario and the Maritimes participated throughout the summer, with Alberta and Manitoba leading the way in total donations. Beyond the numbers, the campaign created an opportunity for colleagues to connect around a shared purpose while supporting the health and well-being of communities across Canada.

A special thank you goes to our National Champion, Krystal Hoover, and the many employee volunteers who helped promote participation, recruit donors and encourage colleagues to get involved. Their leadership played a key role in making this inaugural campaign a success.

The blood drive is a great example of the Good Heart program in action. By supporting Canadian Blood Services, employees demonstrated how individual acts of generosity can come together to create a meaningful collective impact. Whether through volunteering or donating blood, Western employees continue to find ways to strengthen the communities where they live and work.

While we are proud of the campaign's success, the need for donors continues year-round. Canadian Blood Services notes that organizations participating in the Partners for Life program help raise awareness, recruit new donors and strengthen Canada's blood supply through ongoing engagement.

To everyone who booked an appointment, donated for the first time, returned after time away, encouraged a colleague or helped spread the word: thank you. Your generosity is helping ensure that patients and families across Canada have access to the life-saving care they need.

Together, we are proving that even a small act can make a lasting difference.