Save the date: On Tuesday, April 28 at 1 p.m. ET our CEO will hold another live Q&A with employees. Thanks to your valuable feedback, we are making some changes to our technology to improve the quality and experience. We will be using Microsoft Teams Live Events which allows for live video and better functionality for participants to ask questions. You will be receiving a link to the event in the coming days. Keep an eye out for it, as well as details on how to participate.
NOTDAW — 4,400 and counting: This week is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way we mark occasions, the fact remains that more than 4,400 Canadians are waiting for lifesaving transplants. So how is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting organ and tissue donation and transplantation? Learn more on Connect and share your support for patients in need on social media by using the hashtags #NOTDAW and #CanadasLifeline.
Temperature checks for donors at active wellness checkpoints: Effective April 23, we will introduce temperature checks for donors at our active wellness checkpoints as an enhanced precaution against COVID-19 spread. This will replace the donor temperature check in screening booths using our current validated device (Carescape). This measure will prevent a donor with a high temperature (over 37.5°C) from entering Canadian Blood Services’ collections events. We anticipate that this measure will be implemented in all collections sites by April 29, 2020.
Wellness Wednesday — stretches for standing workers: For essential employees and volunteers who are currently working on the frontlines, the days are likely feeling longer and more challenging than ever. On top of the personal and professional stressors that the pandemic can bring, many of our frontline workers must also contend with the physical toll resulting from long days spent on their feet. That’s why this week’s Wellness Wednesday is dedicated specifically to our standing workers across the organization. In today’s video, Sherry Beaudry, a certified yoga instructor and administrator, shared services, is back to demonstrate more yoga poses and rejuvenating stretches focused on tired muscles, releasing the lower back, stretching the spine and melting away soreness in the feet and legs.
An Indigenous stem cell donor’s journey: Melissa’s story begins about seven years ago. As a health policy analyst with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, she organized a recruitment event in her own workplace for Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry. As the event organizer, she thought by swabbing her own cheek to collect a DNA sample for the registry she'd inspire others to do the same. Last June she got the call that she was a match for a patient, and it took a moment to sink in. “I know that Indigenous people have a smaller pool to draw from” says Melissa, whose roots are both Dene and Anishinawbe. “I knew it was lucky to find a match. If they were calling me, then somebody really needed it.” Read more about Melissa’s journey on blood.ca.
Quick check-in on your wellbeing: Understanding how we can support you and put your wellbeing first is a priority of our organization. CBS leadership is encouraging employees to complete a brief survey (one minute) so we can make meaningful adjustments to create a safe environment for you while continuing to support donors and patients through the pandemic. The link to the survey will remain active until Monday, April 27 at 12 p.m. ET.
About the daily digest
This daily 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. Things are moving quickly, so you can expect to hear from us daily. 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