Your Digest

Employee feels lucky to be living organ donor

As we celebrate National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, we hear from one of our valued employees about her family’s organ transplant journey. Jennifer Ciavaglia, health policy lead in public affairs, knew that one day her daughter, Elena, would need a kidney transplant because of her chronic kidney disease. That day came last year when Elena was just 17 years old. Fortunately, Jennifer was a match, and successfully donated her left kidney to her daughter. “I feel so lucky and so privileged that I was able to do this for my daughter,” says Jennifer. "My donation experience was really positive.” Read more about Jennifer and Elena’s story and living organ donation on Connect.

Global education program helps educate children about organ donation

More than 4,000 Canadians are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, and it is expected that approximately 250 of those people will die waiting. Educating young people is key to raising awareness of the need and is also a powerful way to honour those who have generously donated. To help children understand this complex topic and to equip them and their families to make decisions about organ donation, a new program introduces the subject in an age-appropriate way. The Mighty Orgamites are animated characters who help children learn about and appreciate the roles of organs, as well as what organ donation is about. As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Week, read more about the Orgamites, their Canadian connection and the three pillars of education and conversation about organ donation on blood.ca.

Diversity, equity and inclusion program expands and has big plans

A growing team, a new organizational strategy and the launch of a Centre for Inclusive Excellence are just a few examples of what’s in store for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at Canadian Blood Services this fiscal year. Our first chief diversity officer, Dr. Yasmin Razack is building a dedicated team that will allow the organization to ensure DEI receives the attention, support and resources it merits. Visit Connect to read about the program’s new team members, the development of a DEI strategy, launching the Centre for Inclusive Excellence and an update on the organization’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

In-person donor recruitment – Phase 2

We are ready to move on to Phase 2 of in-person donor recruitment, which expands recruitment opportunities and events. This includes allowing visitors and media inside donor centres. We have new guidance for Phase 2 Recruitment and revised Visitors to Donor Centre Guidelines. Local recruitment teams should continue working with their regional communications specialist when planning media events. If the COVID-19 measures outlined in the Visitor Guidelines cannot be adhered to, then the planned recruitment and/or media event may only proceed virtually.

A moment of silence on National Day of Mourning

On the National Day of Mourning, marked annually in Canada on April 28, employees are encouraged to pause for a moment of silence at 11 a.m. local time to recognize and remember the workers who have died, been injured or become ill due to their job. Flags will be flown at half-mast at Canadian Blood Services sites. The National Day of Mourning calls on organizations and workers to reiterate their collective commitment to maintaining safe and healthy work environments that prevent injuries, illnesses and deaths. Visit the occupational health and safety page on Connect for more information about our own program.

Question of the day: Can I submit a question for this week’s town hall? And if I submit a question live, will the panellists or participants see my name?

All employees are welcome to submit questions at our town halls. You can send them in advance to communications@blood.ca with the subject line “TOWNHALL” or submit anonymously using this form. You can also ask questions live during the town hall using the available chat box, which forwards questions anonymously unless you choose to include your name. If you choose to submit anonymously, your name will not be visible to panellists, participants or town hall organizers.

Our next live town hall event is coming up on Thursday, April 28 (1–2 p.m. ET). Our CEO, Dr. Graham Sher, will take your questions along with panellists Andrew Pateman, VP of people, culture and performance, and Rick Prinzen, chief supply chain officer and VP donor relations. Simply click the meeting link in your Outlook invitation to join live.

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.