Recognition programs

Honouring our lifeline heroes

At Canadian Blood Services, we are deeply grateful for the incredible dedication and generosity of everyone who contributes to Canada’s Lifeline. We recognize and celebrate the vital role that donors, volunteers and community members play in supporting lifesaving efforts across the country. Our recognition programs honour these extraordinary contributions in multiple ways, whether through personal milestones, community acknowledgments or national awards that spotlight those making a remarkable impact.

Through programs like our donor recognition program and our national award program, we aim to acknowledge and celebrate those who help save lives and inspire others to give.

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Donor recognition

One of the ways we express our gratitude to donors is through our national donor recognition program. 

As a donor, when you reach a donation milestone, we acknowledge your contribution, whether with a pin, a card, a certificate or other items of appreciation. 

Not everyone who is eligible to donate does so—and only a few who do will reach an incredible donation milestone. Your achievement is worth celebrating. Congratulations! 

On behalf of patients in your community and across Canada, our heartfelt thanks to you for your sincere generosity and commitment to helping save lives. Donors are essential to Canada’s Lifeline.  

FAQs

What types of donations are recognized?

We recognize all types of contributions, including:  

  • Biological donations
    • Whole blood, plasma and platelet donations
    • Stem cell and cord blood donations 
  • Partner initiatives
  • Volunteer efforts
  • Financial donations

How are biological donors recognized?

  • We track every whole blood, plasma and platelet donation you make regardless of whether they were collected by Canadian Blood Services.
  • Our program includes appreciation items such as special donor cards, lapel pins and certificates to thank you after you have reached various donation milestones. These items are standard across Canada and ensure that all donors receive consistent recognition for their contribution to saving lives.
  • Stem cell and cord blood donors receive a certificate the following year after they have made a stem cell donation.

What are the recognition levels?

We’re proud to celebrate our frequent and valued donors. Blood, plasma, and platelet donors are recognized starting at 10 donations, then every 25 donations up to 200, and every 50 donations thereafter. 

Check the table below for details on recognition levels and items you’ll receive. 

Recognition Item 

Milestone Levels 

Pin only 

10, 125, 175, 1250, 1350, 1450, 1550, 1650 

Pin and Card 

25, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650, 750, 850, 950, 1050, 1150 

Pin, Card and Certificate 

50, 100, 150, 200 

Pin and Certificate 

75, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 

Note: Due to our commitment to fiscal responsibility and environmental sustainability, we will not be mailing donor cards to donors at selected donor centres.

How do donors receive their recognition items?

Lapel pins may be given to donors at donor centres and donor cards and certificates are sent by posted mail. Donors who have reached a new donation milestone in the previous calendar year are recognized through a personalized milestone certificate.

Is there an option to opt out from receiving the physical certificates?

Yes, if you do not wish to receive the milestone certificates, you can opt out by calling our national contact center at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Donor recognition pilot program

As donor expectations and modern technology evolve, Canadian Blood Services will be piloting a new program at selected locations across the country. The goal of the program is to test new ways to recognize donors' generous contributions. Learning from this pilot program will be essential to the continued development of our recognition program.

The donor recognition pilot program celebrates donor commitment to saving lives by allowing donors to earn points for attending appointments. As part of this pilot program, donors can redeem points for a variety of items in our online donor recognition catalogue. 

Learn more

Young woman looking at the camera, smiling

National award program

Every year, Canadian Blood Services recognizes and celebrates exceptional contributors to Canada’s Lifeline and the patients we serve.  

Our national award program honours and thanks people and organizations who are making significant contributions to the transfusion and transplantation system through an annual presentation of awards in the following categories: Lifetime Achievement Award, Living Organ Donor Award, Logan Boulet Award, National Partnership Award and the Schilly Award. All honourees’ stories remain on the national award program page, as a source of inspiration, education and appreciation for the impact they’ve made to patients across Canada. 

Our national awards celebrate the exceptional dedication, generosity and impact of individuals and partners who strengthen Canada’s Lifeline.
Dr. Graham Sher CEO, Canadian Blood Services

Have more questions?

Call us at 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to learn more about our recognition programs.