While blood transfusion is safer now than ever before, scientists continue to look for ways to reduce risk and ensure the healthiest possible outcomes for patients. A unique collaboration between Canadian Blood Services, The Ottawa Hospital and Université Laval has led to some interesting and somewhat unexpected findings that open the door to new areas of research in transfusion medicine. Press release: Researchers find unexpected association between younger donor age, female sex and transfusion outcomes Although the blood collection and red blood cell preparation processes are standardized

Dr. Sheila O’Brien knows the answer. She is the associate director, epidemiology and surveillance, working at Canadian Blood Services head office in Ottawa. Understanding and minimizing the infectious risks associated with blood transfusion is what she does each and every day.

It's National Blood Donor Week and we're celebrating blood donors from across the country who make a lifesaving difference to patients in need. Each of us has the right blood type to give life: ABOAB. This acronym refers to four blood groups — A, B, AB, and O. Blood type is one way we are all connected and today's post digs into the science and history behind ABO. By Amanda Maxwell In the early days of transfusion medicine, doctors gave patients all sorts of different fluids, including blood or milk from animals. Success varied, and the results were often disastrous—even when they used human

Mice are small, easy to handle and available as consistently bred individuals with little genetic variation – this makes them ideal for research. Furthermore, they share between 70 per cent and 90 per cent genetic make up, undergo many of the same life events that humans do, possess a similar anatomy (OK – mouse-shaped) and show similar physiology to us. A mouse offers a whole living organism in which to investigate disease, response to treatment, development of cancer and other basic research.

Opportunities for knowledge exchange lead to powerful meetings, new discoveries and well-deserved awards.

Ten days of discovery Science Odyssey is a 10-day collaborative event geared to engage and inspire Canadians of all ages with science, technology and engineering and mathematics. It brings together a series of fun activities across the country from Friday, May 6 to Sunday, May 15, 2016. In celebration of 10 days of science, discover 10 interesting facts about blood and blood stem cells. Also get inspired by a few words of wisdom from Dr. Sandra Ramirez, a development scientist at Canadian Blood Services’ Centre for Innovation. #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10 Dr. Sandra Ramirez wanted to know

May is National Hemochromatosis Awareness Month. It gives people the opportunity to learn more about this condition and recognize the symptoms as it’s usually misdiagnosed as something else.

When a person is in dire need of blood, a blood transfusion seems like a simple solution. A donor donates blood, and eventually a patient in need receives it. Yet, in reality this life-saving medical procedure, as safe as it may be, is not that simple.

Researchers show that some methods used in the manufacturing of red blood cell units may be less damaging to the cells, which could reduce adverse reactions in transfusion recipients. This work may impact the future of how blood is collected in North America and around the world.

"Implementing Choosing Wisely recommendations for transfusion medicine" is the 11th Annual Transfusion Medicine Education Videoconference taking place April 13, 2016. Registration is open!