Your digest

Happy holidays and thank you from our board of directors: Whether you work in logistics, collections, testing, production, distribution, administration or research — 2020 has brought about challenges like we’ve never experienced before. To show gratitude, the chair of Canadian Blood Services’ board of directors has recorded a video message thanking employees for their resilience and adaptability as this uniquely challenging year comes to a close. Watch the video streaming now on Connect TV and Connect and keep an eye out this month for more words of thanks from our senior leadership as we celebrate the season.  

REMINDER — live Q&A with our CEO:  Please join us on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. ET for the next live townhall with our CEO. This month, Graham will share his thoughts and priorities for 2021 and will be joined by Rick Prinzen, chief supply chain officer and VP, donor relations, to answer your questions related to our frontline operations. Send us your questions in advance by emailing us at communications@blood.ca with the subject line “TOWNHALL.” Join by clicking on the meeting link in your Outlook invite. We look forward to seeing you all there and to continue these important discussions.   

Home for the holidays: Many of us look forward to the holidays as an opportunity to gather and celebrate with family and friends. But, with our current COVID-19 reality, recent public health advice asks Canadians to limit non-essential travel and in-person get-togethers over the holidays. Jennifer Layock, a process development specialist based in Edmonton, is looking forward to creating new and thoughtful traditions this holiday season. She says, “we are reveling in the opportunity to slow down and enjoy each other and just feel as much magic as we can. Even if it’s not driven by exciting parties or big events or external activities — we are the driver of the magic of the holidays." Head over to Connect to read more and share how you are making the season special by joining the conversation on Yammer.

‘I desperately need a Black donor to come forward’: Jamaique Rose, a healthcare worker and single mother in Toronto, Ont. is fighting cancer for the second time in four years. “Four years ago, I had multiple rounds of treatment and fought hard to beat cancer,” says Jamaique. “The disease came back this past summer, and I’m once again fighting for my life.” Jamaique was first diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in November 2016, seven months after giving birth to her youngest child. The first sign of the disease appeared after she had a wisdom tooth removed and her mouth failed to heal in the months following the surgery. At first, doctors thought she had an infection that could be treated with antibiotics, but after a second look they ordered more tests. Read Jamaique’s story on blood.ca/stories.

Question of the day: Can I take my mask off when I am in our cafeterias or breakrooms onsite?

Employees are required to wear face masks at all times when inside Canadian Blood Services sites.  

In our cafeterias and breakrooms, employees may remove their masks to eat only.  This means that if you are doing tasks in the cafeteria other than eating — including ordering lunch, warming your food, getting water or taking something out of the fridge — you must wear a mask. 

The use of masks is aligned with the latest advice from public health and allows us to protect the safety of our employees and our essential operations. This requirement will be enforced as needed. 

Employees are also reminded that cafeterias and breakrooms shouldn’t be used for socializing purposes. You should keep a two metre distance from others at all times and are asked not to share food with one another to limit the spread of COVID-19.

If you have questions about this requirement, please visit your COVID-19 employee portal or contact communications@blood.ca.

About your digest

This digest will highlight the latest policy and employee support measures, resources to help you manage our new reality and original content like articles and videos to remind us that what we do matters.  No access to email? No problem — all this information and more can be found on blood.ca/employees from any device, no login required.    

Click here to read past editions of your digest.    

Have questions? Check out blood.ca/employees or email us at communications@blood.ca