Ernie Ginsler was very happy to have spent 2 weeks in Tuscany. It was their first trip to Europ for he an Judy. While there he got to see evidence of Rotary at work in several locations.
John Webster was happy to have run his 2nd Waterloo half-marathon, taking a full six minutes off of his time from last year.
Paul Rostrup is very pleased to be heading out this Friday for a trip to Florence, Italy. Also, on April 26th he was happy and honoured to have represented our club at the Balsillie School of International Affairs for their 7th annual Graduate Fellowship Symposium. Students presented policy briefs to faculty for feedback in preparation for briefings to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) that will take place in June. These policy briefs will contribute to the foresight and research activities of GAC in the areas of artificial intelligence, human rights, development, migration, trade, global finance, and the environment. The event featured a keynote address by Paul Meyer, former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Office of the UN and the Conference on Disarmament. Mention was made of the support Rotary has made towards providing scholarships for students in Peace Studies and, in particular, Ernie Ginsler was thanked for his efforts in initiating and coordinating the scholarship program.
Darren Sweeney was recognized as our Bell Ringer this week for being our Wellington Brewery Local Lager Ambassador and his work in organizing a Local Lager booth at the upcoming BrewHaHa in New Hamburg this Saturday.
Paul Rostrup informed members that the annual KidsAbility Fun Day will occur on June 9. As usual volunteers will be need to help set up, take down and run the many events. Please mark your calendars no0w and stay tuned for more details.
Darren Sweeney provided members with Local Lager post cards that can be handed to friends or given out at events to promote the Local Lager. he also informed members that our June 4 presentation will be by folks from Wellington Brewery to talk about the history of Craft Beer and about the Rotary Local Lager.
Peter Gray reminded everyone of our Tree Planting Day on Wednesday May 23. We will be working with grade 7 & 8 students from a local school and planting at the Huron Natural area, 801 Trillium Drive, Kitchener. Planting will occur from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 but there will likely be some finishing up and clean up to do later for those coming from work. Also, our Spring clean up of the Dom Cardillo Trail is being organized for a Thursday in the coming weeks - stay tuned for more details.
Jim Phillips let the members know that he has informed the other clubs involved in the On-Line Auction of our intent to continue for another year. The committee will be meeting this week and a list of jobs and tasks for members will be forthcoming.
President Dave made members aware of the article that is in today's Kitchener Record on the life of Audrey Whipper, a member of our club who recently passed away.
Our pot continues to grow and is now at $636 and none of Bryn, Darren Sweeney, nor Adrian DeCoo found the Jack of Hearts but Darren did uncover the Joker and received $10.00.
Today's program featured Paul Dickson from Canadian Blood Services who was introduced by Candi Harrington.
Paul has been in the charitable sector profession for over 16 years. He specializes in advocacy, science, research, and health care; with a particular affinity for working in Northern Indigenous communities. Prior to joining Canadian Blood Services in 2016, Paul's career has included roles with Acura, Wilfrid Laurier University and the Kitchener Public Library. Paul is an avid community-builder volunteering with organizations focused on everything from promoting literacy to addressing homelessness. When time permits, running and hiking are his preferred pastimes.. In 2013, Paul was recognized by the Waterloo Record as one of the Top 40 Under 40.
Paul provided an overview of the work of the Canadian Blood Services, here are some of the highlights.
About Canadian Blood Services
•Not-for-profit organization operating at an arm’s length from government.
•Mission: provide a safe, secure, cost-effective, and accessible supply of quality blood, blood products and their alternatives.
•Vision: Canadian Blood Services works with hospitals to improve blood utilization and surveillance. Our research programs lead to the discovery and development of leading-edge products and practices in transfusion medicine.
•In response to Justice Krever’s 1997 report on the blood system in Canada, CBS began operations on September 28, 1998 as Canada’s national blood operator in all provinces (except Quebec).
•There have been no recorded instances of blood-borne infection since Canadian Blood Services started managing Canada’s blood system.
Our Work
•Manage a safe, secure and cost-effective blood system.
•Operate the adult stem cell registry (OneMatch Stem Cell and Marrow Network) and Canadian Blood Services Cord Blood Bank.
•Manage national patient registries for organ donation and transplantation.
•Conduct leading-edge research and advance practice in transfusion and transplantation medicine nationally and internationally.
•Provide diagnostic laboratory testing services in some provinces.
•Bulk purchase of pharmaceutical plasma protein products.
•Lead national practices, professional education, public awareness and system performance activities for organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
Four Areas of Focus:
Blood
•Each year, 100,000 new blood donors are needed to meet demand.
•Donations to the blood focus area:
–Fund programs that recruit and retain blood donors
–Improve donor experience à improved collection technology to maximize each gift, or modernization of clinics
Stem Cells
•There are hundreds of patients in Canada waiting for a match but only 1 in 2 find a suitable donor.
•Donations to the stem cell focus area:
–Increase registrants to the adult stem cell registry
–Help us continue building a high quality and ethnically diverse Cord Blood Bank, through the recruitment and education of new moms
Organs and Tissues
•Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives; tissue and eye donors can improve the lives of up to 75 more.
•Donations to the organs and tissues focus area:
–Fund programs and initiatives that educate and raise awareness about the need for more lifesaving organ and tissue donors
Research and Innovation
•Canadian Blood Services drives world-class research and innovation in blood transfusion, cellular therapy, and transplantation.
•Donations to the research and innovation focus area:
–Fund research projects that keep Canada at the forefront of transfusion and transplantation medicine
–Help us address emerging issues and frame best practices
Howard Pell, who will be making his 50th donation of Blood this year asked for the support of members and their friends, families and colleagues in joining him to get 50 blood donations as part of his campaign.
