Your digest
A year in pictures: 2020 — the year we couldn’t wait to leave behind us. For all its challenges, though, it gave us many gifts and new opportunities. We’ve gathered some pictures together to show you the highlights. Read more on Connect.
Stem cells brought them together. Now they want others to share the love: It’s not every day that one meets their true love through Canadian Blood Services. But Sierra and Jason Kooy, both from Bradford, Ont., bonded over the years as schoolmates, and later as soulmates, because of stem cells ― one of the many ways Canadian Blood Services helps patients. “My husband and I attribute the formation of our relationship to God and to Canadian Blood Services,” says Sierra. “And it all started with my father’s cancer diagnosis.” Read how Jason Kooy's decision to donate stem cells endeared him to his now-wife Sierra on blood.ca/stories.
Edmonton toddler with immune disorder urgently seeks stem cell transplant: An Edmonton family is making a desperate appeal for Canadians of diverse ancestral backgrounds to join Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry to help save the life of their 16-month-old son. At just a few days old, Jakob Guziak was diagnosed with adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID), a rare immune disorder caused by a deficiency in adenosine deaminase (ADA). As a result, he is unable to fight off most types of infections, including bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Jakob currently relies on intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) transfusions once every month. The medication is made from plasma, a straw-coloured component of blood. However, doctors estimate that without a stem cell transplant, this treatment will only help to keep him alive for six to 12 months. Read Jakob’s story: blood.ca/stories.
This family looks to Iceland for new holiday traditions: Faced with a Christmas apart from her family, Charley Bekolay sought creative ways to celebrate. The family opted to replace their tradition of pajamas and board games with the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod — gifting books and reading them together on December 24. Read more about how the Bekolay family is adapting to virtual celebrations on Connect.
If you are struggling this season, support is available: Your health and wellness is a top priority for our organization. Employees have told us that they are feeling the effects of the pandemic, resulting in stress and overwhelm and it is important that you feel supported. Canadian Blood Services has a number of measures in place to help if you are struggling. Through supports like paid leave, flexible work options, drop-in virtual therapy and virtual fitness classes, we hope to help ease some of the pressures you are feeling. Visit Connect to learn about all of the supports available; and don’t hesitate to reach us at thrive@blood.ca if you have questions or need guidance.
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.
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Have questions? Check out blood.ca/employees or email us at communications@blood.ca