Research. Education. Discovery.

Canadian Blood Services research trainee Zoya Hussain shares reflections after attending the Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine annual conference and Canadian Blood Services’ Research Day in St. John’s last month.

The International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines (ICTMG) recently partnered with Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) to release new international guidelines for the clinical use of platelets in a variety of patient settings. These guidelines represent a major advancement in transfusion medicine, providing a framework for safer, more sustainable transfusion practice by promoting a shift toward restrictive platelet transfusion strategies.

Dr. William (Bill) Sheffield, a Canadian Blood Services’ senior scientist and associate director of research has received two awards in recognition of his outstanding innovations and mentorship within transfusion medicine.

Canadian Blood Services is looking forward to connecting with members of the transfusion community at CSTM 2025, happening this May in St. John's, Newfoundland! In lead-up to the event, we invited members of our research and education network to submit blogs previewing their contributions to CSTM 2025.

Canadian Blood Services is significantly expanding its infectious disease surveillance and testing activities through a new Surveillance & Discovery Laboratory. Learn more about the lab and its benefits to the blood system and broader public health insights in this blog!

One of the ways Canadian Blood Services contributes to global advancements in transfusion medicine is through active involvement in the BEST Collaborative; an international organization whose studies help shape clinical practice. The legacy of the late Dr. Dana Devine is now also being honoured by a new BEST Collaborative Fellowship program that launched in 2024.