You are essential — social media round-up

As we continue to deal with the many challenges and uncertainties related to COVID-19, one thing we can rest assured of is that we’re continuing to ensure a positive experience for our donors.

Across the country, blood donors – both new and returning – have been taking notice of the enhanced wellness measures that have been implemented at our centres and are sharing their positive experiences through social media, surveys and other channels of communication.

Below are just a few of the thousands of messages we received from some of our donors this past week, thanking us for everything from our cookies, to our amazing frontline staff who are helping them feel safe and secure from the moment they walk into a collection event.

Our steadfast staff

Following an appointment, blood donors are sent a survey asking them to share their experience. We’ve been receiving many acknowledgements of our robust cleanliness and physical distancing measures – but most of all, donors have been voicing their appreciation for our frontline staff.

I was beyond impressed with the safety measures taken during COVID-19 as well as the kindness shown by everyone working.

All of you working during this COVID-19 crisis are heroes :) Everyone was incredibly friendly, polite, respectful, and efficient.

As COVID-19 has shifted everything we do in our lives I was a bit nervous heading out to give blood but everyone from when I entered the clinic to when I was leaving was professional, well prepared, kind, and informative.

You guys are doing a fantastic job at ensuring blood donations are conducted safely, while maintaining calm and good spirits during this pandemic.

An opportunity to act

Our social channels have been flooded with messages from first time donors in recent weeks, many of whom answered our public call for donors to help prevent potential blood shortages. Many of our first-timers have noted that donating blood has helped give them a purpose during this uncertain time.

Our clinics are sparkling

While our clinics have always had robust cleanliness measures in place, we’ve stepped things up even more, putting into place increased cleaning frequency of all equipment and surfaces - and our donors have taken note.

We’re receiving expert endorsements

We’re continually monitoring COVID-19 and are taking additional measures to enhance and adjust our protocols in donor centres in compliance with directions from public health authorities, as the situation evolves – but it’s always nice to get a ringing endorsement of our efforts from an expert. We received the below e-mail from one of Canada’s top infection control doctors and a retired CBS medical microbiologist, Dr. Margaret Fearon, earlier this week.

We’re making connections and bringing people together (but keeping them at least 2 metres apart)

While we comply with the Public Health Agency of Canada’s direction to ensure physical distancing at collection events, we’re still succeeding in helping to bring people together and make lifesaving connections. We’re also getting some serious shout-outs for being the only acceptable outing (and date night spot) in town.

BONUS: We’ve still got all the good snacks

We all know that our donors are first and foremost committed to saving and improving the lives of patients across the country – but boy, do they also love our snacks.