About Canadian Blood Services
We are Canada's Biological Lifeline.
We are the connection between donors and patients, healthcare professionals and medical researchers. We are nationally responsible for a secure system of life essentials for transfusion and transplantation that’s reliable, accessible and sustainable. Every day we work diligently to help save lives, restore health and earn the nation’s trust.
Who we are
Established in 1998, Canadian Blood Services is an independent registered charity. We receive most of our financial support from the governments of all provinces and territories except Quebec. Regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada, we are responsible for operating the national blood and plasma supply system, as well as the national public cord blood bank. In pursuing our mission as Canada’s Biological Lifeline, we work to provide safe, reliable access to high-quality products and services required for the treatment and care of patients across the country.
Our organization was established through a memorandum of understanding between the federal, provincial and territorial governments (excluding Quebec) following the Royal Commission of Inquiry by Justice Horace Krever into Canada’s blood contamination crisis. The principles articulated in Justice Krever’s final report continue to guide our policy development and decision-making.
Canadian Blood Services provides blood components for transfusion, as well as cord blood stem cell products for transplantation. We also manage a formulary of plasma protein and related products used to treat a wide array of medical conditions. And we operate stem cell registry services on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments except Quebec. Our national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing and related programs extends to all provinces and territories.
We collaborate with patient groups, care providers, health system leaders, communities of donors, other blood service organizations and governments to continuously improve the effectiveness of Canada’s health systems and achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Working with this diverse community of stakeholders, we contribute to the advancement and excellence of both national and international networks focused on transfusion and transplantation.
Our vision
To help every patient
To match every need
To serve every Canadian
Our mission
We are Canada’s Biological Lifeline
Our values
Integrity We do the right thing, always. We do what we say we will do. We share information in an honest, transparent manner. We follow policies, processes and regulations.
Collaboration We help each other. We engage those who are affected by our decisions. We listen with an open mind. We focus on solutions.
Adaptability We embrace change. We keep learning. We seek new ideas and opportunities. We integrate better ways of working, quickly.
Respect We treat everyone fairly. We are considerate and courteous to everyone. We value diversity in all its forms. We create and nurture an environment in which everyone feels included.
Excellence We give our best every day, in all that we do. We take ownership of our work. We continuously improve our processes, products and services. We set increasingly higher standards for ourselves.
What we do
Blood for Life
Canadian Blood Services is responsible for managing the nation’s blood supply. We collect, test and manufacture blood and blood products, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma for transfusion. We distribute these blood products to health care providers for the treatment of patients across Canada. We also provide diagnostic laboratory testing services in some provinces.
Plasma for Life
Of the plasma we collect and test in Canada, some goes to patients for transfusion, while most is shipped to pharmaceutical manufacturers contracted by Canadian Blood Services to produce medications for use by patients in this country. These medications — primarily immunoglobulins — form part of a national formulary of plasma protein and related products (PPRP) that we bulk-purchase from global providers and manage on behalf of all provinces and territories except Quebec.
Stem Cells for Life
We collect, test and manufacture stem cells obtained from cord blood. We also operate a national registry of adult stem cell donors and participate in an international network of donor registries to identify potential matches for patients requiring stem cell transplants. Together, these programs support better outcomes for people living with the many diseases and disorders that can be treated with transplanted stem cells.
Organs and Tissues for Life
We serve as the country’s coordinating agency for organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT). We manage a national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing, as well as related programs for donation and transplantation. With our partners across the OTDT community, we also develop leading practices, support professional education and public awareness activities, and share data on the performance of the OTDT system in Canada.
Research and Innovation
To support our operations and advance transfusion and transplantation science and medicine, Canadian Blood Services conducts wide-ranging research and development activities. We also participate in clinical trials and research led by others.
Through these efforts, we help to introduce innovative products, important knowledge, enhanced safety and quality measures, and refined processes and technologies. Our work supports problem-solving in the blood supply chain, contributing to optimal patient outcomes. We support professional education and public awareness initiatives related to transfusion and transplantation. And we regularly share insights and expertise with our health system partners, other stakeholders, funding governments and international blood service organizations.
Governance
Our governance structure is designed to ensure vigilant oversight of our management and operations while protecting our independence as a national blood operator entrusted with maintaining a safe, secure supply of blood and blood products.
Recent publications
Strategic plan 2024+
Our current strategic plan sets out the priorities that will guide Canadian Blood Services as we continue working in partnership with Canada’s health systems to achieve the best possible patient outcomes.
Our quality policy
Quality is a guiding principle in everything we do. It’s what links us to our goal of consistently providing safe and effective products and services to patients that depend on them.
Our commitment to donors
Everything we do depends on donors like you. With your generosity, we can help many patients. Which is why it’s so important that what we say, what we do, and how we do it inspires you to continue to be a part of Canada’s Lifeline. Your experiences with us matter.
Our supplier code of conduct
We are committed to conducting business in a highly ethical and environmentally sustainable manner, and in a way that promotes corporate social responsibility and non-discriminatory practices across our supply chain.