Canadian Blood Services Announces Steering Committee of Prominent Individuals

Committee members to guide the development of a national system for organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Canada

Ottawa, May 14, 2009 -- Canadian Blood Services today announced that it has struck a Steering Committee made up of prominent individuals to guide the development of the strategy for a national system for organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT) in Canada.

Members of the Steering Committee represent a variety of regional perspectives, and include notable leaders in the areas of healthcare, government and industry - as well as experts on the subject of organs and tissues. They will provide overall direction on strategic priorities in the design of this new national system.

"Building a national strategy for organ and tissue donation and transplantation will ensure consistency and improve performance - and that will help to ensure more Canadians receive the organs and tissues they urgently need," said Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services and Committee Chair. "The work undertaken by the committee members is vital, and I am pleased to be working with so many esteemed colleagues. Each member of the committee brings extensive experience and expertise to the process we are undertaking."

In August 2008, Canadian Blood Services was asked by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to deliver national services in OTDT. Canadian Blood Services is receiving $35 million over five years from the federal, provincial and territorial governments to enhance organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Canada.

The Steering Committee began its work earlier this week and will be supported by two working groups: an Organ Expert Committee and a Tissue Expert Committee. These two committees will work hand-in-hand with the Steering Committee to bring their unique perspectives and recommendations to the forefront.

"I am pleased to be working on this important project, which is critical to the future of the healthcare system in Canada," said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Health. "Ultimately, a better organ and tissue donation system will save lives and improve the quality of life for people young and old."

Members of the steering committee are:

• Dr. Graham Sher, CEO, Canadian Blood Services (Committee Chair)
• The Honourable A. Anne McLellan, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister of Health
• Dr. Brian Postl, President and Chief Executive Officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
• Dr. Andrew Baker, Medical Director - Trauma and Neurosurgery Program, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto
• Dr. Judith Shamian, President and CEO, Victorian Order of Nurses Canada
• Dr. Simon Sutcliffe, former President and CEO, BC Cancer Agency, and incoming Chair, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer
• Dr. Alan Hudson, the Ontario Ministry of Health's Lead on Wait Times and Access to Health Services;
• Dr. John Hamm, family physician and former Premier of Nova Scotia
• Dr. Maurice McGregor, Chair of the Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre.
• Mr. Craig Knight, Assistant Deputy Minister, B.C. Ministry of Health Services
• Dr. William Wall, OC, pioneering transplant surgeon at London Health Sciences Centre and University of Western Ontario
• Dr. Michael Strong, international tissue banking expert, University of Washington School of Medicine

Download steering committee biographies

About Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the supply of blood and blood products in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec. Canadian Blood Services also oversees the OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network, and provides national leadership for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Canadian Blood Services operates 40 permanent blood collection sites and more than 20,000 blood donor clinics annually. The federal, provincial and territorial Ministries of Health provide operational funding to Canadian Blood Services. The federal government, through Health Canada, is responsible for regulating the blood system. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.blood.ca.

Media Inquiries may be directed as follows:

Ron Vezina
Director Media Relations and External Communications
Tel: 613 739 2044
Cell: 613 715 0199
Email: ron.vezina@blood.ca

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