Call to Action recommends fundamental system change for Canadians June 20, 2012 (OTTAWA) – Canadian Blood Services today released Call to Action, a blueprint for the national strategy on organ and tissue donation and transplantation developed on behalf of the OTDT community in Canada. Call to Action is an integrated, cost-shared plan that identifies gaps in the current Canadian system and provides a set of 25 recommendations focused on sustained, breakthrough performance in this country. In 2008, the federal, provincial and territorial ministries of health (except Québec) recognized the need

Canadians encouraged to register to give life through organ or tissue donation (OTTAWA) – As part of this year’s National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, Canadian Blood Services, along with organ donation organizations across Canada, is encouraging Canadians to take three important steps: make the decision to donate organs and tissues, register their intent to donate, and have open and frank conversations with loved ones about organ donation. Approximately 4,500 Canadians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant and many more are waiting for tissue transplants. One organ donor

(Ottawa) – A significant new overview of the state of organ and tissue donation in Canada shows that while there has been progress over the past decade, there is still a lot of work to be done. The report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information shares data related to organ donation from 2005 to 2014. Canadian Blood Services is diving more deeply into the CIHI data and is set to release an additional progress report in the near future. It will outline in more detail how the system is evolving including trends and outcomes.

Canadian Blood Services congratulates board chair Leah Hollins on honourary doctor of laws from University of Manitoba May 16, 2014 (Winnipeg) - There’s a new doctor on Canadian Blood Services’ board of directors. Yesterday, Leah Hollins, the board’s chair, was awarded an honourary doctor of laws from the University of Manitoba. Leah received the honour during the faculty of medicine convocation ceremony in Winnipeg. “Leah’s game-changing ideas, passion for collaboration and trailblazing success in shifting the way Canadians donate organs bring distinction to the University of Manitoba. We are