Your digest
Celebrating the annual Sikh Nation blood donation campaign
Every November for the past 22 years, Canadian Sikhs from across the country have united to donate blood or plasma to help patients in Canada. By introducing new donors and volunteers to Canada’s Lifeline, Sikh Nation is helping us build a more inclusive blood system. As the campaign continues to grow, Sikh Nation is on track this year to make its largest annual contribution since the group’s partnership with Canadian Blood Services began. Read more on Connect or Blood.ca about the largest contributor to our pledge-based Partners for Life (PFL) program.
Last chance to submit advance questions for this week’s town hall
Our next live town hall will take place on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. ET. We encourage you to submit your questions around health and well-being, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and any other topics that are top of mind. This month, Andrew Pateman, vice-president, people culture and performance; Dr. Kathryn Webert, medical director and special advisor, medical affairs and innovation; and Dr. Chantale Pambrun, director, Centre for Innovation will join CEO Dr. Graham Sher on our expert panel.
You can submit questions in advance via email or video to communications@blood.ca with the subject line “TOWNHALL”, or record an audio question by phoning 1-800-509-3329.
Note: we know that questions related to your well-being and/or DEI can sometimes feel tough to ask. If you choose to submit a question in advance, please indicate if you’d like it to be asked anonymously. Alternatively, consider asking a trusted colleague to submit a question on your behalf.
Click the meeting link in this Outlook invite to join live. If you can’t make it, a recording of the event will be available on your COVID-19 employee portal within 24 hours.
Local sites host flu shot clinics in November
Some of Canadian Blood Services’ work sites will be offering employees an accessible way to obtain flu vaccines again this year. If getting the flu shot is part of your health and well-being routine, you can register to get your flu shot at one of the various locations listed here and visit the registration portal to book your appointment today!
If you are unable to receive a vaccination on-site, you can also find a public clinic near you or visit your doctor or local pharmacy.
A new flu vaccine is created every year to protect you during flu season. This season’s flu shot will protect you against influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B. You can find out more on Connect about why the flu shot is an important way to keep you and those around you healthy this season.
In case you missed it: Our 2020–2021 annual report is now available
The past nineteen months have brought unique and immediate challenges to our work and personal lives that required urgent and significant focus. Throughout the last year in particular, each of you has risen to the difficulties presented in impressive ways. Your commitment, resilience and adaptability have allowed us to chart new paths; whether this was in spite of the pandemic or precisely because of the pandemic. The accomplishments highlighted in our 2020–2021 annual report, Changing Tomorrow, are due to the hard work and dedication of each of you. Read more here and when you do, know that you played a significant part in making this year a success.
Question of the day: Now that we are a fully vaccinated workplace, can we start resuming normal activities like planned staff gatherings onsite and in-person recruitment events?
Being a fully vaccinated workplace is an important step in slowing down the spread of COVID-19 and keeping ourselves and our environments as safe as possible. We understand this step gives a glimpse of hope and optimism about an eventual return to some activities we were accustomed to pre-pandemic.
As the organization continues to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic landscape, we constantly review and revise our safety measures and protocols as necessary. We are reassessing existing safety measures and protocols given the consideration of a fully vaccinated workplace. To keep employees, volunteers and donors safe, protocols related to physical distancing and PPE won’t change anytime soon. The program is focusing its review on any safety measures that might be refined without increased risk to our ability to meet patient needs. Please continue to adhere to current safety measures and protocols. More information will be shared soon.
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About your digest
This digest highlights 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.