The AABB Annual Meeting is considered a must-attend event for those wishing to learn about cutting edge research and technology advances in blood banking and transfusion medicine and science. Two Centre for Blood Research trainees describe their experiences at AABB 2020 – an international, high profile conference attended from the comfort of their own homes due to COVID-19 restrictions.

An article recently published on the Canadian Blood Services’ professional education website looks back on the impact of the pandemic on blood donation in Canada.

Through the Centre for Innovation’s competitive funding programs, Canadian Blood Services conducts and supports researchers and research projects in key areas. Recipients for one of our most dynamic programs, the BloodTechNet Award, were recently announced, and several other funding opportunities are now open for applications.

As this Centre for Blood Research profile highlights, the Centre for Innovation’s Dr. Peter Schubert keeps busy with his various roles at Canadian Blood Services and the University of British Columbia Centre for Blood Research. Read on to learn about his background, his research inspirations and his advice for young scientists.

Our research is improving patient safety for those who need intravenous immune globulin (IVIg), a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases. By increasing our understanding of an unexpected, potentially life-threatening side effect of IVIg therapy, our studies can help doctors better predict which patients are most at risk and take steps to protect them.

The Canadian Blood Services Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose landmark contributions are both extraordinary and world class in the field of transfusion or transplantation medicine, stem cell or cord blood research in Canada and/or abroad.

Sarah Longo’s personal and engaging story describing the challenges she faced starting a new research position in the middle of the pandemic was awarded runner up in this year’s Lay Science Writing Competition.

People with a low platelet blood count, such as cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, can receive a platelet transfusion to boost their platelet count. But what is the best approach to platelet transfusion? In its latest publication, the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines examines the quality of seven platelet transfusion guidelines.

We are delighted to publish the entries that were awarded joint first place in this year’s Lay Science Writing Competition. Read on for Melina Messing’s sobering but ultimately hopeful entry describing her experiences as a immunology researcher during the pandemic.

The Centre for Innovation is delighted to announce the winners of the 2020-2021 Canadian Blood Services Lay Science Writing Competition. Read on to find out who won!