Who we are
Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization that operates independently from government. Created through a memorandum of understanding between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, we opened our doors in 1998. Our funding comes primarily from the provincial and territorial governments, and we are a registered charity that accepts financial donations.
Canadian Blood Services is one part of Canada’s broader network of healthcare systems and is the only national manufacturer of biological products funded by Canada’s provincial and territorial governments. We provide blood, plasma, as well as transfusion and stem cell registry services, on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments (excluding Quebec). Our national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing and related programs extends to all the provinces and territories. We have a unique relationship with Hema-Québec, the provincial blood system operator that provides products to patients and manages Quebec’s stem cell donor registry. Our two organizations work closely to share blood products in times of need, and we collaborate regularly to share information, insights, and data.
Our legacy
In November of 1997, Justice Horace Krever tabled the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada in the House of Commons. That same year federal, provincial and territorial governments enacted a memorandum of understanding that would shape a new, national blood authority for the country.
Both documents were aimed at providing direction for the future. They established key principles for the blood system, including these examples:
- Safety of the blood supply is paramount.
- Blood is a public resource.
- Donors of blood and plasma should not be paid, except in rare circumstances.
- Adequacy and security of supply of all needed blood components and plasma fractions for Canadians should be encouraged.
- Sufficient blood should be collected so that importation from other countries is unnecessary.
- Access to blood products, including fractionated plasma products, should be free and universal.
- A national blood supply program should be maintained.
These documents, and the principles they contain, have provided essential guidance for Canadian Blood Services.
What we do
A fundamental conviction anchors the diverse responsibilities of Canadian Blood Services: what we do matters. We ensure Canadian patients have reliable access to safe, high-quality blood, plasma, stem cells, and organs and tissues. To do this, we undertake a broad range of activities in four areas:
- Blood: We collect, test and manufacture blood and blood products, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma. We also provide diagnostic laboratory testing services in some provinces.
- Plasma: We collect plasma from volunteer, unpaid donors in Canada. We retain some of this collected plasma to meet the transfusion needs of Canadian patients, but most is shipped to contract manufacturers who use a process called fractionation to create plasma protein products. We distribute approved plasma protein products — derived from our own plasma in addition to the finished product we purchase — to hospitals in Canada (excluding Quebec) to treat patients with immune disorders and diseases such as hemophilia.
- Stem cells: We operate a stem cell program that supports better outcomes for patients living with any of the more than 80 diseases and disorders that can be treated with stem cell transplants. We collect cord blood and manufacture stem cells through our cord blood bank. We operate a robust national registry of potential adult stem cell donors and participate in an international network of donor registries. We provide human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing services to ensure the best possible matches between those willing to donate stem cells and those who need them.
- Organs and tissues: We manage a national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing and related programs for organ donation and transplantation. Working with partners across the organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT) community, we develop and share leading practices, provide education resources and collaborate on new ways to share data on the performance of the OTDT system in Canada.
To support these activities, as well as the advancement of transfusion and transplantation science and medicine in Canada and around the world, Canadian Blood Services conducts a wide range of research and development activities and participates in research led by others. Through these efforts, we help to translate new knowledge, processes and technologies into the manufacturing environment. Our research and development work also supports problem-solving in the blood supply chain, contributing to improvements in quality and efficiency. We support professional education and public awareness activities related to transfusion and transplantation and share our knowledge and expertise with our healthcare partners, stakeholders and funders.
Who we serve
Our priority is to ensure the best possible treatment and care is given to patients. Every choice we make is guided by a focus on the ultimate goal of excellent health care: safe, effective and accessible products and services that patients can rely on to improve their health and well-being.
Our ability to meet that goal relies on the relationships of trust we build with donors. Only through their generosity and dedication can we meet the needs of patients across Canada and — for stem cell recipients — around the world. We are deeply committed to safeguarding donors’ health, and constantly seek new ways to enhance their experience at every point where they interact with us throughout the donation process.
Canadian Blood Services is an active contributor and collaborator within national and international networks focused on transfusion and transplantation. We recognize the importance of building productive relationships with stakeholders and governments across Canada’s interrelated health systems. The choices we make are prudent and focused, reflecting our deep appreciation of the resource constraints that define the funding landscape.
Our vision, mission & values
Our vision
To help every patient.
To match every need.
To serve every Canadian.
Our mission
We are Canada’s Biological Lifeline.
We are the connection between the sincere
generosity of donors and the heartfelt appreciation
of recipients, between the profound discoveries of
science and the joyful restoration of health.
As such, we are nationally responsible for a secure
system of life essentials for transfusion or transplantation
that’s reliable, accessible and sustainable.
That’s why our organization must be efficient,
our performance disciplined. We must work as one
with our colleagues and partners at all levels.
We must be prudent yet smart, rigorous yet agile, capable
yet concerned. And we must be innovative, reinventing today
so we can find better answers for tomorrow.
In a very real way, what we do affects the well-being
of all Canadians and every day we must earn their trust.
We make a difference and in that, we take great pride.
Our values
Integrity
We do the right thing, always.
We do what we say we will do.
We share information in an honest, transparent manner.
We follow policies, processes and regulations.
Collaboration
We help each other.
We engage those who are affected by our decisions.
We listen with an open mind.
We focus on solutions.
Adaptability
We embrace change.
We keep learning.
We seek new ideas and opportunities.
We integrate better ways of working, quickly.
Respect
We treat everyone fairly.
We are considerate and courteous to everyone.
We value diversity in all its forms.
We create and nurture an environment where everyone feels included.
Excellence
We give our best every day, in all that we do.
We take ownership of our work.
We continuously improve our processes, products and services.
We set increasingly higher standards for ourselves.
Our governance
We function as an independent, not-for-profit organization that operates at arm’s length from government, governed and guided by the principles of accountability, engagement and transparency. Learn more about our governance.
Our commitments to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Every day, generous donors across the country make a commitment to help save lives. Our commitment back to you — our donors, recipients, employees, stakeholders, partners, volunteers, and all those who wish to join Canada’s Lifeline — is to build and support a national transfusion and transplantation system that is diverse, equitable and inclusive for all.
