Your digest

October 27, 2020

We want to make it easy for employees to access the latest from Canadian Blood Services.  Every Tuesday and Friday, we will be bringing you important COVID-19 updates along with valuable information and inspiring stories about other parts of our operations.

We know things are rapidly changing; please remember you can always reach out to communications@blood.ca with your questions and suggestions on how we can better help employees.

Here is the latest.

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The COVID caregiver’s series: Being a working caregiver is a balancing act. Managing both in a pandemic can seem next to impossible and increase feelings of isolation. During Healthy Workplace Month, your colleagues are sharing the challenges they’re facing, the steps they’re taking and how open communication can make all the difference. Today, we bring you a story from Karen Power, a logistics supervisor for frontline employees in St. John’s, Nfld and mom to her young daughter. Read more about her struggles of being a working caregiver on Connect. If you are struggling, please know there are resources available for your through the employee assistance program and the COVID-19 leave supports for employees.

Recruiting new donors in a pandemic — meet territory manager, Jhoanna Del Rosario: Jhoanna understands first-hand how critical the need for blood donations is. In 2012, Jhoanna’s father was being treated for cancer in her native Philippines and needed blood transfusions. For his care providers, it wasn’t a simple matter of ordering units from the hospital blood bank. In the Philippines’ patients depend on volunteer donations from family and friends; if not enough donors are available, blood must be purchased. And when the cost of a single unit can be equivalent to half the average weekly wage, this adds a significant financial burden to the emotional stress of supporting a loved one. Living 10,0000 km in Canada, she channeled her sense of helplessness into helping other people. Today, as territory manager for Calgary, Jhoanna is responsible for recruiting new blood donors, engaging with existing ones and forging partnerships. Her team is also focused on recruiting people from other diverse groups. Read more about Jhoanna on Connect.

Blood donor events celebrate patient’s ongoing recovery: Dozens of Peter Regan’s friends and family members will donate blood during a series of donor events this month in London, Ont. The events celebrate not only Peter’s 65th birthday and his longstanding community service, but also his ongoing recovery from leukemia. “It’s been a difficult and emotional year for Peter, our family and all our friends,” says Lissa Regan, Peter’s wife of 42 years. “Lots of ups and downs.” Read more about Peter and the friends, family, and work colleagues that booked so quickly to support on blood.ca/stories.

Question of the day: Will the regional winners of Living Our Values be announced soon? Also, why were this year’s nominees not made public during the nomination period like they were last year?

Earlier this summer, employees submitted 329 Living Our Values nominations, recognizing 182 colleagues and 31 teams as role models, who exemplify Canadian Blood Services’ values. 

Selection teams from each region (as well as from the NCC and head office) reviewed each nomination. After careful consideration, the following regional and team Award of Distinction recipients were selected:

Team: Charlottetown donor centre team

ATL: Patricia Royan, donor care associate

BCY: Sunil Mudliar, facilities manager

HO: Debbie Cundill, divisional partner

NCC: Simone Ebbinghaus, RN, information

ONN: Naweed Malik, supervisor, field logistics

PRN: Aaron Barlow, territory manager

A head office selection committee reviewed the above nominations. While all recipients are deserving, Aaron Barlow has been awarded the National Award of Distinction by EMT.

Over the next few weeks, we will be pausing to celebrate all recipients at our regional virtual service awards events and sharing their stores through Connect, where we will also list all nominees. Stay tuned!

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