Annual Report 2019–2020

The big picture

Stability and agility: strategically managing the nation’s blood supply

Canada’s blood system maintained strong performance in fiscal 2019–2020, experiencing significant inventory fluctuations only in the final two months, with the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic. Through the first 10 months of the year, stable whole blood collection enabled us to meet the needs of our hospital customers and keep inventories consistently within target ranges. The progress we achieved, working with health systems across the country, builds on a multi-year effort by Canadian Blood Services to amplify the value we deliver by improving patient outcomes and enhancing system performance while optimizing cost-efficiency.

How we adapt

“We’re helping to save lives. And that feels good.”

Jett Woo, an NHL draft pick and star defenseman with the Calgary Hitmen, inspires others to donate as part of the Hockey Gives Blood campaign — while Jhoanna Del Rosario of the Canadian Blood Services Calgary team knows what it takes to build donor engagement, especially during a pandemic.

The big picture

Homegrown plasma: building the model for Canada’s future

More and more Canadian patients regularly receive plasma-derived products — especially immune globulin (Ig), which is used to treat various acquired and inherited immune disorders. As prescription rates continue to rise, at this point we’re only able to meet 13.7 per cent of demand for Ig with products made from domestically sourced plasma, and we face an increased risk of supply interruptions and rising costs. Canadian Blood Services has therefore made expanding Canada’s domestic plasma supply a key focus area of our current five-year strategic plan. In March 2019, after extensive consultations with provincial and territorial health ministries, we received approval and funding to establish three proof-of-concept plasma collection centres that will serve as models for a Canada-wide solution. Jean‑Paul Bédard, vice-president, plasma operations, outlines the thinking behind this initiative and our progress to date on establishing a proven model for plasma self-sufficiency.

How we adapt

“We’re eager to show how we can step up our game as a country to better meet Canada’s plasma needs.”

For Teri‑Mai Armstrong, helping to launch our pioneering plasma donor centre in Sudbury, Ontario, is the latest milestone in a career devoted to helping improve the lives of Canadians and the health of the nation.

The big picture

The PPP formulary: evolving to keep pace with patients’ needs

Over the past year, we continued our modernization of the national formulary for plasma protein products (PPPs). We’ve expanded our formulary team, which now includes four pharmacists, as well as a policy advisor and an administrative coordinator. We’re updating the product selection process based on a rigorous analysis of current clinical practice and emerging patient needs and guided by the expertise of the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH). We’re also adding measures to track utilization, so we’re better prepared for rapid shifts in demand or extraordinary events like the COVID‑19 pandemic.

How we adapt

“As soon as he started on intravenous immune globulin, he was back to being the child he should have been all along.”

For nine‑year‑old Heydan Morrison, enjoying life as a kid takes some added courage — and regular treatments with an immune globulin drug manufactured from the plasma of thousands of Canadians.

The big picture

The right match: organ and tissue donation and transplantation

Canadian Blood Services has played a national leadership role in organ and tissue donation and transplantation (OTDT) since 2008. Today our commitment to driving collaborative efforts in OTDT — under the banner Organs and Tissues for Life — is one of the cornerstones of our mission as Canada’s biological lifeline. Whether building and operating programs on behalf of all Canadians or helping to leverage provincial capabilities and make them accessible nationally, we deliver value by improving donation rates and access to transplants, and by developing leading clinical practices and education programs for health professionals and the general public. We asked Amber Appleby, director, organ and tissue donation and transplantation, for an update on our progress in creating better outcomes for Canadians ensuring the OTDT system is safe, equitable and performing to its full potential.

How we adapt

“We have a second chance at life and we make the most of it.”

As president of the Canadian Transplant Association, Brenda Brown works tirelessly on behalf of organ recipients and donors — thanks to her own life-saving kidney transplant.

The big picture

Stem cells: finding lifesaving matches in Canada and around the globe

Every year, hundreds of Canadian patients require stem cell transplants to treat a wide range of diseases and disorders, among them leukemia, lymphoma, aplastic anemia and sickle cell disease. Ensuring that Canada’s health systems can locate well-matched donors and deliver life-saving treatment is the work of our Stem Cells for Life program, which includes our national donor registry, our cord blood bank and other processing, testing and storage facilities across the country. Canadian Blood Services is also part of a global network of stem cell organizations that coordinate efforts to match potential donors with patients in need.

How we adapt

“If they were calling me, then somebody really needed it.”

When Melissa Deleary learned she’d been matched with a patient through Canadian Blood Services Stem Cell Registry, she didn’t hesitate to donate her bone marrow — because she knew that for an Indigenous person like herself, the odds of finding the right match were that much harder.

The big picture

Our quality journey: turning strategic commitment into everyday action

In our 2019–2024 strategic plan, we’ve committed to further develop our quality management system (QMS) and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Aligned with the best practices of biologics manufacturers around the world, our QMS includes:

• policies, processes and procedures to guide how quality is managed
• a formal quality assurance program to ensure we meet all requirements
• the tools and resources needed to conduct these activities
• a system of quality metrics to monitor and evaluate effectiveness.

How we adapt

“I feel like I’m doing something good today.”

When Jerry Glubisz was diagnosed with COVID‑19, his first priority was simply to survive the illness. But once he’d recovered, he found a way to potentially help others battle the novel coronavirus — by donating his antibody-rich convalescent plasma to a clinical trial supported by Canadian Blood Services.

The big picture

Employee experience: building individual and organizational success

One of the key focus areas of our five-year strategic plan is to create an engaging and empowering employee experience at Canadian Blood Services. To ensure we have the focused, high-performing team we need to support Canada’s health systems, we work constantly to enhance each team member’s day‑to‑day impact; to recruit talented people with the right skills for the future; to develop the next generation of inspiring leaders; and to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, anchored by mutual respect and a concern for everyone’s well-being. We asked Andrew Pateman, vice-president, people, culture and performance, to expand on the various dimensions of employee experience and the shared sense of mission that drives our organization forward.

How we adapt

“What we do matters to millions of Canadians and folks around the world.”

For Dujon Donaldson in Brampton and Tanya Gray in Halifax, being Canadian Blood Services employees means feeling engaged, respected and empowered while helping to achieve our mission as Canada’s Biological Lifeline.