The Canadian Blood Services Lay Science Writing Competition supports our trainee network to develop communication skills by challenging them to showcase their research using plain language.

Red cell antigen genotyping is an important tool for healthcare providers in the development of transfusion strategies for patients, though the reports can be complex to interpret. New resources on Canadian Blood Services’ Professional Education website will assist healthcare providers in interpreting these reports, in addition to the support available from the National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (NIRL).

Innovative research undertaken by Dr. Na Li and the team at the McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research is harnessing electronic health data to improve demand forecasting and inventory management of red blood cells.

New findings from University of Toronto’s QUEST research program analyze the impact of albumin on patient outcomes after cardiac surgery, suggesting routine albumin use in this patient group may need to be re-examined.

Canadian Blood Services recently made a submission to Health Canada to focus donor screening criteria on higher-risk sexual behaviour, regardless of gender or sexuality, for all donors and all phlebotomy collection types.

As we begin a new year, look back with us at the top five blogs of 2021. Unsurprisingly, pandemic-related information gained the most attention.

This year’s event was held in a hybrid format providing attendees with the best of both worlds: a chance for face-to-face discussions for those who could attend in Vancouver, B.C., and the flexibility of a virtual event for participants and attendees across Canada and beyond.

During November’s Honouring Canada’s Lifeline award ceremony, three distinguished Canadian researchers were recognized with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Each a world-leading expert with numerous outstanding achievements during their distinguished careers, Dr. Gilles Delage, Dr. Heather Hume and Dr. Mel Krajden are deserving awardees.

We’re excited to launch a brand-new look for our professional education website, Canadian Blood Services’ resource hub for health-care professionals.

The latest Centre for Innovation annual progress report is now available on blood.ca. It describes the highlights of Canadian Blood Services’ research and education network during the 2020-2021 fiscal year.