Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine

The CSTM is the voice for transfusion medicine professionals in Canada

Winter 2009 /2010

In my last message I focused on the proposed revisions to the CSTM Mission and Vision statements.  As we all know, these statements form an integral framework for our strategic planning.  Every year as the budget is presented for review and approval, the Board is challenged to determine how to best fulfill our commitment to “supporting knowledge and services in developing countries”.  A few years ago the CSTM had the opportunity to sponsor delegates to a World Health Organization (WHO) meeting.  This decision to provide financial support to a major initiative was facilitated by the knowledge that there was an established accountability process in place for the use of CSTM funds used for such sponsorship.

Recently we received a funding request from the Foundation for the International Society of Blood Transfusion to support their ongoing funding activities.  The CSTM Board felt again this presented a great opportunity for us to meet several of our own objectives:

• To inspire and promote safe transfusion practices
• To facilitate opportunities for education in transfusion medicine
• To cultivate regional, national and international partnerships with key stakeholders
• To assist in the advancement of knowledge and services in developing countries

The Board recognized that the ISBT Foundation focuses their funding on direct program expenses and is assured that the ISBT Foundation's accounts are independently reviewed and audited.

Several of our Canadian colleagues in Transfusion Medicine have received such grants.  The primary objective of the ISBT Foundation is to enhance global health care, especially blood transfusion medicine by:

• Expanding knowledge and education on health care with particular emphasis on transfusion medicine, transfusion science, blood banking and related disciplines.
• Supporting projects in blood transfusion medicine, transfusion science, blood banking and related topics.
• Through education, create infrastructure in health care in countries of greatest need.
• Utilizing the skills and depth of knowledge of ISBT members by involving them in education programs to improve the practices of those in need.
• Assist in setting up facilities to achieve the goals
• Assist in the development of simple, affordable technology to test and collect blood to improve safety.

The Board supports the objectives of the Foundation and through its financial contribution the CSTM is supporting initiatives and the infrastructure that will enhance healthcare in developing countries.

On a more local or regional level we probably all know someone who has reached out to assist those in developing countries through their research or participation in such programs as the Red Cross or Doctors without Borders.  This issue of the Bulletin features two articles from colleagues that demonstrate leadership to inspire and promote transfusion safety.  Read about their experiences facilitating opportunity, cultivating partnerships
while assisting in the advancement of knowledge and services in a developing country.

In my last message I focused on the proposed revisions to the CSTM Mission and Vision statements.  As we all know, these statements form an integral framework for our strategic planning.  Every year as the budget is presented for review and approval, the Board is challenged to determine how to best fulfill our commitment to “supporting knowledge and services in developing countries”.  A few years ago the CSTM had the opportunity to sponsor delegates to a World Health Organization (WHO) meeting.  This decision to provide financial support to a major initiative was facilitated by the knowledge that there was an established accountability process in place for the use of CSTM funds used for such sponsorship.

Recently we received a funding request from the Foundation for the International Society of Blood Transfusion to support their ongoing funding activities.  The CSTM Board felt again this presented a great opportunity for us to meet several of our own objectives:

• To inspire and promote safe transfusion practices
• To facilitate opportunities for education in transfusion medicine
• To cultivate regional, national and international partnerships with key stakeholders
• To assist in the advancement of knowledge and services in developing countries

The Board recognized that the ISBT Foundation focuses their funding on direct program expenses and is assured that the ISBT Foundation's accounts are independently reviewed and audited.

Several of our Canadian colleagues in Transfusion Medicine have received such grants.  The primary objective of the ISBT Foundation is to enhance global health care, especially blood transfusion medicine by:

• Expanding knowledge and education on health care with particular emphasis on transfusion medicine, transfusion science, blood banking and related disciplines.
• Supporting projects in blood transfusion medicine, transfusion science, blood banking and related topics.
• Through education, create infrastructure in health care in countries of greatest need.
• Utilizing the skills and depth of knowledge of ISBT members by involving them in education programs to improve the practices of those in need.
• Assist in setting up facilities to achieve the goals
• Assist in the development of simple, affordable technology to test and collect blood to improve safety.

The Board supports the objectives of the Foundation and through its financial contribution the CSTM is supporting initiatives and the infrastructure that will enhance healthcare in developing countries.

On a more local or regional level we probably all know someone who has reached out to assist those in developing countries through their research or participation in such programs as the Red Cross or Doctors without Borders.  This issue of the Bulletin features two articles from colleagues that demonstrate leadership to inspire and promote transfusion safety.  Read about their experiences facilitating opportunity, cultivating partnerships
while assisting in the advancement of knowledge and services in a developing country.

If you have a personal experience that you would like to share, please submit your article to the Bulletin Editors. 

In closing, I regret to inform the membership that due to personal commitments, Dr. Debra Lane has stepped down from her position as Director at Large, Bilingual.  Dr. Lane recently completed a term as Western Director and has been an active member of the Standards Committee.  On behalf of the Membership I would like to thank Dr. Lane for her contribution and wish her our best. 

By Appointment of the Board, I would like to welcome Denyse Tremblay who has agreed to assume the position as Director at Large, Bilingual.  Denyse has a great deal of experience working and supervising in a hospital Transfusion Service.  Recently, she moved to CBS where she is now the Hospital Liaison Specialist for the NorthEast Ontario and Nunavut Region.  Welcome Denyse!

Mark your calendars for CSTM – Vancouver 2010!

Shelley Feenstra
President, CSTM