Your Digest
National Blood Donor Week is June 12—18
Next week, we are shining a light on the donors who have continued to show up for patients across Canada while also focusing on the immediate need for new and returning donors. Over the course of the pandemic, the number of people across Canada who donate regularly has decreased by 31,000. Our donor base is now at its lowest level in a decade. We need to attract 100,000 new donors this year to ensure a strong blood, platelet and plasma supply. Visit Connect to learn what you can do to help during National Blood Donor Week, including signing up for the National Blood Donor Week Employee BINGO Challenge. Here’s a special thank you from comedian Andrew Phung, one of our funniest and most sincere supporters.
Living Our Values program shifts to new timeframe
Living Our Values is our annual peer recognition program designed to celebrate individuals and teams who exemplify our ICARE values. In previous years, the timing spanned from May to August, aligning with regional service award celebrations and the Honouring Canada’s Lifeline gala in the fall. The 2022–2023 Living Our Values program is now shifting to a new timeframe. Due to feedback from nominators, brand ambassadors and selections teams, the program will launch in January, with recipients being announced as part of Employee Appreciation Week in March. Read more on Connect.
Show your Pride with our new Progress Flag Teams background
For decades, the six-colour rainbow flag we all know well has been the recognized symbol of LGBT communities. In recent years, however, Pride events, organizations and activists around the world have been adopting “The Progress Flag”, incorporating the light blue, pink and white colours of the trans flag, as well as black and brown stripes to represent the queer and trans identities of racialized peoples, and those living with HIV/AIDS. We’re excited to introduce new, branded Teams backgrounds featuring the Progress Flag. The introduction of this more inclusive symbol acknowledges and celebrates our ever-expanding understanding of identities, sexualities and other aspects that make us all unique. Download your Progress Flag background today, by visiting connect.blood.ca/PRIDE. The six-colour rainbow flag Teams background is also available as an option. Here’s how to update your background image on Teams.
Leadership Summit Soundbites: Get to know Graham
In this final installment of audio clips from this year’s leadership summit, we’re sharing a fun rapid-fire question series with our CEO, Dr. Graham Sher. Listen to learn more about him and what he truly thinks about Hawaiian pizza.
Question of the day
What is the latest information we have on monkeypox and do we anticipate any impact on our blood collections as it relates to the new SBBS eligibility?
According to the World Health Organization, available evidence suggests that those who are most at risk for the recent outbreak of monkeypox are those who have had close physical contact with someone with monkeypox. Risk is not limited in any way, to men who have sex with men. In our context, the current monkeypox outbreak will not affect the upcoming implementation of sexual behaviour-based screening for all donors. The monkeypox virus is mostly being spread via close contact and there has also been some evidence of possible droplet transmission. There is currently no evidence that the monkeypox virus is transfusion-transmissible. Please read our CEO’s latest blog where Graham shares his feedback and some recent information on this virus.
About Your Digest
This digest highlights the latest policy and employee support measures, resources to help you manage our new reality and original content to remind us that what we do matters. This information 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.