Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine

The CSTM is the voice for transfusion medicine professionals in Canada

Summer 2011

Dear Colleagues,

I trust that all CSTM members are enjoying their summer although I hear that the West coast is stuck in a low pressure system and is envious of those of us spread out across the rest of Canada, who have at least experienced some good weather to date.

As I write this summer message, our Annual CSTM Conference/AGM in Toronto in May, seems a distant but enjoyable memory. For those of you who were able to attend, I think you will join me in acknowledging the fine job that the organizing committee and countless volunteers did in putting on such an excellent conference. The soggy damp weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants and for those who managed to snag a ticket for the Cruise…..the blankets were a godsend!

My experience to date as Board President of the CSTM, is that there is never a dull moment. No sooner had Version 3 of the Standards been published, then we launched head-first into our redesign project for the website, which is well underway and on target for a fall launch. As part of this project and partly because of dwindling interest and contributions, we made the very difficult decision to no longer publish the “Bulletin” as a separate entity. Our goal instead, is to utilize the advanced communications technologies associated with state-of-the-art website format, to incorporate the regular features of the “Bulletin” as it existed.

The redesigned website will provide you with a wide variety of information and links, to enable you to access topics such as: CSTM volunteer activities, relevant research in transfusion medicine in Canada, membership renewal opportunities or blogging on hot topics in transfusion. The end result we hope will be to better serve our current members while at the same time, attract a broader group of professionals whose work may touch on the field of transfusion medicine. We will also be looking at inviting our industry partners to take the opportunity to advertise their products in a specially designed section for this purpose.

Have great summer everyone wherever you are across Canada!

Cheers!...Kieran.