Your Digest
Graham’s end of year message for employees
For the last townhall, one of our colleagues, Janna, submitted a great question prompting reflection on the best moments of 2022. Our CEO, Dr. Graham Sher, has since recorded a video in response, sharing some of the top organizational accomplishments from the year, gratitude for our teams who make it all happen, as well as some personal highlights. Watch his video message on Connect and share with your team as we close out 2022.
Survey highlights pressing need for blood and plasma donors
Findings of a new Ipsos survey indicate that while six out of 10 eligible donors in Canada believe donating blood or plasma over the holidays is important, only one in 10 plans to book an appointment before Dec. 31. This is especially worrisome as cancellation rates rise due to cold and flu season. We need to fill every open appointment across the country by the end of the year to meet the needs of patients — especially those requiring O-negative blood. Help us make all the difference by sharing the pressing need with your friends and family and if possible, making an appointment to donate blood or plasma. Learn more on blood.ca.
New digital resource hub for stem cell patients and families
The wait for a matching stem cell donor is always difficult and each patient and family copes with it in their own way. Twin toddlers, Zoey and Misha Prajapati, need a stem cell donor to help them recover from a rare genetic condition which puts them at risk of severe infections. Their family knows that waiting for a match is challenging and they, along with many other families, would like to do more. That’s why we have launched a new digital hub to support them to:
- Host their own recruitment drive.
- Share their story with us.
- Engage news media and use social media effectively.
- Run a “recruit-and-raise” campaign.
Today, more than 900 patients across Canada are waiting for stem cell transplants to treat more than 80 diseases and disorders. One challenge is finding donor matches for patients with Indigenous, Asian, South Asian, Hispanic, mixed-race, and diverse Black backgrounds. Read more on Connect and find out how you can help patients by promoting the need for more diverse donors and our new digital hub.
Question of the day
Are holiday group gatherings allowed onsite this year?
Yes! All Canadian Blood Services sites are open and have begun the process of welcoming more employees back to collaborate in-person.
As we head into a time of year where many holidays are observed and celebrated, we recognize that local sites and individual teams may wish to gather in-person to celebrate the year’s accomplishments. If you choose to celebrate onsite with your team, we ask that you keep the following in mind:
- More than anything else, if you or your family are sick — stay home.
- If you are feeling well and choose to come onsite, please ensure that you are practicing good hand-hygiene.
- Consider wearing a mask indoors if you are in close contact with others. Masks — including N95’s — are available for all individuals coming onsite.
To ensure that your onsite celebration is as inclusive as possible, we encourage you to consult the Inclusive Approach to Winter Holiday Celebrations guide. This guide provides tips, considerations, and resources to ensure that everyone feels comfortable, respected and valued in the workplace during, and leading up to, workplace holiday celebrations.
Given that some employees may not be able to attend a social gathering this season, leaders are encouraged to find equitable and inclusive ways to celebrate with their teams.
What you do matters. Thank you for making all the difference this holiday season — and all year round — for patients in need.
