News release

"Ted’s Red Serge Challenge” celebrates retired RCMP Inspector’s lifelong commitment to saving lives

November 20, 2025 - Nanaimo, British Columbia
From: Nanaimo RCMP

Content

According to Canadian Blood Services (CBS), there are approximately 420,000  blood donors in Canada.  Donated "blood and blood products are a critical part of everyday medical care, including major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments and managing diseases and disorders."

Inspector (Ret'd) Ted Smith is one of those exceptional donors.  On November 21, 2025, he will complete his 300th blood donation—a milestone that reflects more than five decades of personal commitment to helping Canadians.

Service to country and community has long been a foundation in Ted's family.  His father served in World War II with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.  His mother, Pat, a registered nurse in Alberta, gave blood regularly during World War II to support injured soldiers returning to Western Canada on Troop Trains.  Ted and his sister assisted their mother in setting up a donor center in Aurora, Ontario, and at the age of 18, Ted began donating blood himself.

Ted went on to serve nearly 36 years in the RCMP, working in Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.  No matter where his career took him, he continued to donate—often encouraging colleagues to roll up their sleeves as well.

"I just have to go to the blood services clinic every 56 days.  It's very easy to do, and it's one of the most meaningful ways you can give back to your community.  Unfortunately, it's something that police officers deal with regularly; you never really know when you might need that blood yourself one day."

Ted is dedicating his milestone donation to his mother and all the recipients his donations have helped over the past decades.

To honour this milestone, the BC RCMP and Canadian Blood Services have partnered to launch “Ted’s Red Serge Challenge.” The challenge invites RCMP police officers and employees to join Ted at other donor centres in recognition of his decades-long commitment to blood donation.

Ted will complete his 300th donation in Nanaimo, kicking off the challenge, while other RCMP police officers will make their own coordinated donation in Victoria at the Canadian Blood Services donor centre as part of the initiative, showing support for Ted’s exemplary action and reinforcing the RCMP’s ongoing commitment to community service.

“We are grateful to Ted for his commitment to donating and inspiring others to follow his lead,” said Ann Chabert, community development manager, Canadian Blood Services. “Ted’s 300th donation is a meaningful opportunity for the RCMP to give together and share in the rewarding connection that comes with being a donor, while knowing they’ve helped to save lives.”

For media requests with the CBS, please contact:
1-877-709-7773
media@blood.ca

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