OA3-AM24-TU-07 - Rebuilding Trust: Canadian Blood Services Issues Historic Apology to 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities

Following the tainted blood tragedy in the 1980s, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) applied donation policies that prevented many from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities from donating. In 2022, CBS moved to more inclusive criteria for these donors. Despite this change there was a need to rebuild trust and relationships with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. We heard that the first step in rebuilding relationships was to apologize for the harm these communities experienced in relation to the prior policy.

Study

Design/Methods:

CBS established a 2SLGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee, fostering collaborative efforts to co-develop a meaningful apology. Regular meetings between CBS staff, executives, and the external advisory committee resulted in progressive drafts of the apology, incorporating shared perspectives based on mutual understanding and collaboration.

Results/Findings:

The apology was approved by the board of directors and the advisory committee in Spring 2024. A public release of the apology was planned with members from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities co-presenting along with the CEO of CBS at a live event May 10^th, 2024. The apology was well-received by 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, CBS employees, patient groups, and donors. Immediate impacts included CBS' acceptance to participate in several Pride festivals for the first time, indicating the apology's role as a cornerstone for CBS' broader inclusion agenda. At the time of presentation at the annual meeting, we will present additional data about the impacts of the apology to various communities.

Conclusions:

Canadian Blood Services stands as the first blood operator worldwide to publicly apologize to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities for the harms experienced by past donor screening policies. This process demonstrates a pathway for blood operators to recognize past harms, rebuild relationships, and foster inclusion. It highlights the transformative power of dialogue and a commitment to addressing stakeholder concerns, offering a path to rebuilding relationships even in the most challenging contexts.