Canadian Blood Services

Established in 1998, Canadian Blood Services is an independent registered charity. We receive most of our financial support from the governments of all provinces and territories except Quebec. Regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada, we are responsible for operating the national blood and plasma supply system, as well as the national public cord blood bank. In pursuing our mission asCanada’s Biological Lifeline, we work to provide safe, reliable access to high-quality products and services required for the treatment and care of patients across the country.Our organization was established through a memorandum of understanding between the federal, provincial and territorial governments (excluding Quebec) following the Royal Commission of Inquiry by Justice Horace Krever into Canada’s blood contamination crisis. The principles articulated in Justice Krever’s final report continue to guide our policy development and decision-making.Canadian Blood Services provides blood components for transfusion, as well as cord blood stem cell products for transplantation. We also manage a formulary of plasma protein and related products used to treat a wide array of medical conditions. And we operate stem cell registry services on behalf of all provincial and territorial governments except Quebec. Our national transplant registry for interprovincial organ sharing and related programs extends to all provinces and territories.We collaborate with patient groups, care providers, health system leaders, communities of donors, other blood service organizations and governments to continuously improve the effectiveness of Canada’s health systems and achieve the best possible patient outcomes. Working with this diverse community of stakeholders, we contribute to the advancement and excellence of both national and international networks focused on transfusion and transplantation.