Canadian Blood Services helps Deaf donors give blood

New procedures make sign language interpreters available upon request

Peterborough, November 20, 2008 -- Canadian Blood Services is launching a new initiative that will make it easier for donors who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing to give blood.

Until now, these potential donors were only able to donate if they could communicate directly with the screening nurse in written English or French. Through collaborative efforts with the Canadian Hearing Society and the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC), Canadian Blood Services developed procedures, subsequently approved by Health Canada, to provide for the use of ASL or LSQ interpreters during the entire donation process.

"This is a great step forward in making it easier for more donors to help their fellow Canadians by giving blood," said Dr. Graham Sher, Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Blood Services. "With the ongoing need for blood, we look forward to working closely with the Deaf community to encourage individuals to come forward as potential donors."

"The Canadian Hearing Society is thrilled that Canadian Blood Services has made their services more accessible to people who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing," said Gary Malkowski, Special Advisor to the President, Public Affairs, at the Canadian Hearing Society. "This will ensure that these donors can give blood with confidence and complete understanding of the donation process."

To take advantage of the new service, donors will need to indicate their need for an interpreter when they schedule an appointment. Canadian Blood Services will then work with local interpreting services to book an interpreter, who must be an active member of the Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada (AVLIC).

"Membership in AVLIC is an indication of the interpreter's commitment to providing quality service in accordance with the AVLIC Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct," said Colleen Friel, President of AVLIC. "AVLIC is very pleased to be involved in providing this service to donors who are Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing donors."

Ms. Lois Buckley, who has generously agreed to donate for the first time under the new policy says, "This is an important step in making blood donation easier for Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people and I am proud to be the first public donor to donate with an interpreter."

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 collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually. The 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.

About the Association of Visual Language Interpreters

The Association of Visual Language Interpreters of Canada is a national professional association which represents interpreters whose working languages are English and American Sign Language (ASL). AVLIC represents its membership and advances the profession by promoting high standards within the profession of interpreting.

About The Canadian Hearing Society

The Canadian Hearing Society is the leading provider of services, products, and information that remove barriers to communication, advance hearing health, and promote equity for people who are culturally Deaf, oral deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing.

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Media inquiries may be directed to:
Ron Vezina
Director Media Relations and External Communications
Tel: 613 739 2044
Cel: 613 715 0199
Email: ron.vezina@blood.ca