After more than 260 blood donations, Laurier alumni Milne Oakes (BA ’73) and Mary Lou Oakes (BA ’70) are still giving back

Aug. 24, 2026

A lot has changed at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus since Milne Oakes (BA ’73) and his wife Mary Lou Oakes (BA ’73) were students during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Laurier was then known as Waterloo Lutheran University and had a student population of roughly 2,000. The original Willison Hall served as the anchor building on campus, housing classrooms, administrative offices and a small chapel. The newly constructed library had only two floors.

In January, the Oakes returned to Laurier’s Waterloo campus as volunteers at the Giving is Golden blood drive in support of Canadian Blood Services. In addition to being Laurier alumni and Canadian Blood Services volunteers, Mary Lou, whose maiden name was Groce, and Milne have each made more than 100 life-saving blood donations.

Laurier is a member of Canadian Blood Services’ Partners for Life program and makes an annual pledge of donations, which is generously supported by faculty, staff, students and alumni. Laurier has pledged 475 donations in 2026.

“Giving blood is a wonderful thing to do, if you’re able,” says Milne. “One donation can help three different people. It makes a big impact in a short amount of time.”

Milne learned the importance of helping others from an early age. His father, Stewart, regularly gave blood and inspired Milne to follow in his footsteps. At 19, Milne made his first donation as a student at Stratford Teachers’ College.

“In those days, the Red Cross held donation clinics,” says Milne. “Some of my classmates were going to donate after classes and asked me if I wanted to join them.”

Milne was able to give blood that day, but clinic staff advised him against making future donations, citing small veins and a lengthy donation time. He followed that advice for years, until a colleague at Forest Hill Public School in Kitchener, where he served as principal, asked if he wanted to donate at a mobile clinic being held across the street.

“The rest is history,” says Milne. “I’ve made 160 donations so far and will keep giving as long as I can.”

Milne’s commitment to giving inspired Mary Lou to try donating again. Like Milne, Mary Lou was told she had small veins, which could limit her ability to give blood.

“I took preparing for my donations very seriously,” says Mary Lou. “I drank plenty of water ahead of time and was well rested – I really wanted to be able to give blood and make a positive impact for someone in need.”

Mary Lou has been able to make 107 life-saving donations; Milne made his 161st donation on Aug. 3.

“Milne and Mary Lou’s commitment to helping others in need of blood and blood products is inspiring and appreciated,” says Katie Bea, business development manager with Canadian Blood Services’ Waterloo Region team. “They are valued ambassadors of Canadian Blood Services’ mission, and we are grateful to have their support.”

Milne volunteers at the Canadian Blood Services clinic location on Bridgeport Road in Waterloo every other Friday, providing post-donation drinks and snacks to donors.

“I love connecting with people and learning about what motivated them to give,” says Milne. “Everyone has a reason for giving blood.”

The Oakes’ passion for giving back and helping others was evident during Laurier’s Waterloo campus blood drive in January. The couple eagerly connected with student donors, thanking them for attending the clinic and sharing information about how to join Canada’s stem cell registry.

“It was wonderful to connect with Laurier students at the campus blood drive,” says Mary Lou. “While so much has changed since Milne and I studied here, the desire among students to do good and help out remains.”

Laurier joined the Canadian Blood Services Partners for Life program in 2010. Since then, Laurier blood donors have contributed more than 5,000 donations. Eligible donors are invited to make a blood donation during Laurier's summer blood drive happening through Aug. 31.

Donors can join Laurier’s Partners for Life team to have their donation included in Laurier’s annual pledge to Canadian Blood Services. To join Laurier’s team, download the GiveBlood app from Google Play or the App Store. This short video shows how to join Laurier’s team within the app. Appointments to give at any Canadian Blood Services location can be booked online or within the app.

Visit blood.ca for more ways to support Canadian Blood Services.