On Aug. 5, a Canadian Blood Services ad appeared on a mobile social network for gay and bisexual men. We apologize to anyone who may have been offended or hurt by the placement of this ad. The ad was placed in error as part of a broader digital campaign. We took immediate steps to remove the ad as soon as we were made aware of it. We are taking steps to ensure this does not happen again.

(OTTAWA) – Health Canada has approved Canadian Blood Services’ request to reduce the blood donation waiting period for men who have sex with men from five years to one year. The change will take effect across the country on Aug. 15. Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, Québec’s blood operator, will make the change at the same time. “This is an exciting, incremental step forward in updating our blood donation criteria based on the latest scientific evidence,” says Dr. Graham Sher, chief executive officer, Canadian Blood Services. “Canadian Blood Services is dedicated to being as minimally