The Canadian Society for Transfusion Medicine (CSTM) annual conference, held in partnership with Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, is taking place May 29 – June 1 in St. John's, Newfoundland. Each year, the CSTM conference provides opportunity for health-care professionals and researchers in transfusion medicine to share knowledge, learn about recent advancements in transfusion medicine, and connect with colleagues. In lead-up to the event, we invited members of our research and education network to submit blogs previewing their contributions to CSTM 2025. This blog was prepared by

As Canada’s Biological Lifeline, Canadian Blood Services is entrusted with the vital responsibility of providing safe, reliable access to high-quality products and services essential for individuals across the country. Our network of dedicated researchers and laboratory staff is integral to our ability to fulfil that responsibility, and the announcement of a new Surveillance & Discovery Laboratory is another example of this ongoing commitment to safety and continuous improvement. This lab will enhance capacity to identify and mitigate threats to the blood supply and strengthen public health