Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services is an organization that is responsible for the safe distribution of blood and blood products to hospital patients throughout Canada.

What are three traits that you look for in a student volunteer/worker?  

We typically have two streams of volunteers.  We have volunteers that work in our clinics, as well as in the community to help spread the word and encourage people to join the network.  Our organization helps to manages blood and blood products that includes plasma, platelets, stem cells as well as organ and tissue networks.  We look for volunteers that are comfortable working in environments that interact with the general public, either to help encourage them to make an appointment to donate, or to watch over our donors at the end of their donations.

What are the main values of your company?

Our vision is to help every patient, to match every need and to serve every Canadian.  We do this by practicing an ICARE where we practice with Integrity, Collaboration, Adaptability, Respect and Excellence.  We strive to do this by meeting changing patient needs, by building relationships with donors of the future, by ensuring a secure supply of plasma for Immune globulin, by creating an engaging and empowering employee experience and achieving organizational excellence.

 What is a piece of advice that you would give to students attending the KUS career fair?

Find your reason.  If you’re passionate or moved by something, take that and use it in your day to day life.

Please provide any links to volunteer opportunities or job opportunities that you would like to offer students and that might be of interest to them. 

We have opportunities to volunteer at specific clinics, watching over donors at the end of their donation process to make sure they feel well, and provide snacks and chat with donors.   We also have opportunities to volunteer in the community to help promote the constant need for blood and blood products – and to encourage people to make an appointment to give.  These events take place throughout the lower mainland, on campuses and at community and social events.

In Canada, every 4 minutes, someone needs blood.  50 percent of the population will need blood or have a family member who does, and yet only 4% of the population does.  In general, we hold less than 5 days of any given blood type on hand, so the need for blood is constant.  Our volunteers play an important role in ensuring the safe blood supply for Canadians.  For more information, please visit www.blood.ca