The START Study: Improving red blood cell use in Canadian hospitals


Thursday, February 18, 2021
A study conducted by researchers in the University of Toronto QUEST program, a research collaborative supported by Canadian Blood Services, looked at what can be done to reduce the number of inappropriate red blood cell transfusions in hospitals.

IVIg alternative for surgery patients with bleeding disorder


Tuesday, February 09, 2021
With an anticipated global shortage of immune globulin products, finding alternatives to IVIg can help improve availability of a drug in high demand. A recent study shows that eltrombopag, an oral medication that stimulates the production of platelets, is an effective alternative to IVIg for patients with immune thrombocytopenia who need surgery.

Call for applications! Research funding opportunities now open


Friday, January 29, 2021
The Intramural Research Grant Program, one of the Centre for Innovation’s most responsive and impactful research funding programs, and the Kenneth J. Fyke Program, which supports health services and policy research, are both open for applications.

Chief scientist Dr. Dana Devine takes on directorship at Centre for Blood Research


Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Dr. Devine will bring roles together to bridge discoveries into better care

Dr. Celina Montemayor-Garcia on the potential of genomics to shape the future of transfusion medicine


Thursday, January 14, 2021
Dr. Celina Montemayor-Garcia is a researcher and transfusion medicine specialist whose main interest is understanding how genomics and bioinformatics can be used to improve care for transfusion patients. She spoke to us about advances in precision medicine and genomics, and what they could mean for the future of blood systems.

Breaking barriers to effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease


Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Blood plasma-derived IVIg holds promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. A new study suggests that combining IVIg with a new drug delivery technique that helps get IVIg into the brain could increase its effectiveness and help make the best use of this precious treatment.

Top 5 blog posts of 2020


Thursday, December 31, 2020
What a year 2020 has been! Take a look back with us by checking out the five most visited R.E.D. blog posts in 2020.

Honouring a Legacy: The 14th Earl W. Davie Symposium


Thursday, December 17, 2020
The Centre for Blood Research’s 2020 Earl W. Davie Symposium marked the first since Dr. Davie’s passing in June. Read on to hear Kristine Ho, the Centre for Blood Research’s communication coordinator, reflect on this year’s symposium.

Adaptability and innovation: read the latest Centre for Innovation annual progress report


Thursday, December 10, 2020
The Centre for Innovation is the heart of Canadian Blood Services’ research and development activities. Its latest annual report, covering the fiscal year 2019-2020, is now available on blood.ca.

Treat the bleed: Practical guidance for physicians developed by leaders in transfusion medicine


Thursday, November 05, 2020
Canada’s leading experts in transfusion medicine came together to collaborate on Treat the Bleed, a website that provides guidance for front-line physicians in treating bleeding patients.