Centre for Innovation awards funding to support young researchers and improve blood product use Plasma Transfusion Blood Friday, November 29, 2019 Dr. Geraldine Walsh The Canadian Blood Services Centre for Innovation recently awarded successful applicants to the following funding competitions:  The Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers salary support for young investigators. Congratulations to the successful candidates:   Dr. Ruqayyah Almizraq (University of Toronto, training in Dr. Donald Branch’s laboratory): “Development of a drug to replace IVIg, and…

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AABB 2019 – A knowledge infusion for our trainees! Plasma Stem Cells Transfusion Blood Thursday, November 14, 2019 Canadian Blood Services trainees   Narges & Olga at AABB 2019 in San Antonio The AABB Annual Meeting is a must-attend event for those in the fields of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. AABB 2019 took place last month in San Antonio, Texas. Canadian Blood Services’ trainees, Dr. Narges Hadjesfandiari (University of British Columbia) and Dr. Olga…

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The science behind young blood Plasma Transfusion Blood Thursday, October 31, 2019 Catherine Lewis Drinking the blood of the young, and thereby somehow capturing their youth, is a common literary trope. The ghoulish notion speaks to our cultural fascination with youth, but also to our dread of aging. There’s no evidence-based therapy using the blood of young people to counteract or prevent the effects of aging, but young blood is an area where science might…

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Dr. Donald Branch honoured by AABB for his career achievements Transplantation Stem Cells Transfusion Blood Tuesday, October 29, 2019 Catherine Lewis Dr. Donald Branch’s career shows a scientist driven by intellectual curiosity. From Gila monster venom to crocodile blood, from HIV to Ebola to huge discoveries improving outcomes for transfusion and transplantation patients, he pursues scientific questions and embraces all the twists and turns that path of inquiry may take.   “There’s always something new that…

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Memories of CST 2019 Transplantation Organs and Tissues Stem Cells Thursday, October 24, 2019 Jenny Ryan The 2019 Canadian Transplant Summit took place Oct. 15-19 in iconic Banff, Alta. Presented by the Canadian Society of Transplantation (CST), Canadian Blood Services and the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program (CDTRP), this annual event is a unique opportunity to bring together medical professionals, scientists, patients and stakeholders of all interests in organ donation and transplantation from across…

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Mental health and early career scientists Thursday, October 10, 2019 Anusha Sajja Despite the availability of mental health workshops and other resources within their universities, many graduate students and novice scientists still find themselves suffering from depression and anxiety at their workplace. Changes in behaviour, low productivity, lethargy, and high levels of anxiety and stress are common manifestations of mental health deterioration. Why is mental health important for trainee scientists?   The psychological toll of academic…

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The 2019 Critical Care Canada Forum hosts fifth annual Deceased Organ Donation Symposium Transplantation Organs and Tissues Tuesday, October 08, 2019 Jenny Ryan This year marks the fifth annual Deceased Organ Donation Symposium at the Critical Care Canada Forum in Toronto. Presented by Canadian Blood Services, Trillium Gift of Life and the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program (CDTRP), this two-day symposium held Nov. 11–12, 2019 promotes scientific research in organ donation and transplantation and…

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Lay Science Writing Competition open for submissions! Transplantation Organs and Tissues Plasma Stem Cells Transfusion Blood Tuesday, October 01, 2019 Dr. Geraldine Walsh Stories underlie all research experiences, and we want to hear them! The 2019 Canadian Blood Services’ Lay Science Writing Competition launches today and is open for submissions until Nov. 29, 2019. This year’s theme is “Stories worth telling”. We’re delighted to once again partner with science communication and research leaders Science Borealis and…

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Dr. Donna Wall wins lifetime achievement award Transplantation Stem Cells Friday, September 27, 2019 Catherine Lewis With a medical career spanning almost 40 years, Dr. Donna Wall has made significant contributions to the evolution of blood and marrow transplantation across North America. After completing paediatric and paediatric hematology/oncology training in the U.S., Dr. Wall went on to establish blood and marrow transplantation and public cord blood programs in cities including St. Louis and San Antonio.…

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Stem cell transplantation pioneer wins lifetime achievement award Transplantation Stem Cells Thursday, September 26, 2019 Catherine Lewis With a focus on improving the lives of patients living with autoimmune diseases, transplant physician and scientist Dr. Harold Atkins has dedicated his career to discovering innovative methods for stem cell transplantation. In the late 1990s, Dr. Atkins and neurologist Dr. Mark Freedman proposed a novel way to stop the progression of early aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) by…

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