Dr. Norman Bethune’s contributions to the concepts of medical care and social responsibility have left a worthy legacy throughout the world. The CBR is proud to participate by hosting this annual symposium.  On April 17, 2013, over 150 people gathered at the SFU Harbour Centre to share and to learn. It was a great event!

Chaired by Drs. Ed Pryzdial and Ross MacGillivray, the program was packed full of fascinating history and exciting science, with stimulating questions and discussion. The day started off with erudite presentations by Roderick and Sharon Stewart, world-renowned experts on the life and times of Dr. Bethune. They highlighted much of the controversy surrounding this colourful and determined physician and social entreprenur. Dr. Dana Devine from the Canadian Blood Services, followed with novel insights into the dynamic challenges being faced in Canada and throughout the world, in blood management. Dr. John Hartwig from Harvard University then directed us to the laboratory bench, where he described recent advances in our understanding of the synthesis and survival of platelets in the circulation …. key for delineating the mechanisms underlying bleeding disorders and for devising new treatments. Dr. Mel Krajden from the BC Centre for Disease Control, walked us through the history of the discovery of hepatitis C, and the arduous yet progressively productive steps toward a cure and hopefully eradication of one more biological threat to societal health.

Mid-day brought our ever-popular 20 or so “shot-gun” talks by members of the CBR .. and these stimulated a race to the posters over lunch …. helped by the promise of prizes and awards!

In the afternoon, Dr. Jerry Growe eulogized Dr. Wally Thomas, a Bethune-like leader in hematology in BC, who recently died at the age of 92. Dr. André Smith, from the University of Victoria, provided a unique perspective on the social issues surrounding blood donation. A guest from the Puget Sound Blood Centre, Dr. James Zimring, presented fascinating work on the outcomes of incompatible transfusion, raising new perspectives and challenging decades of dogma… There’s a lot that we still don’t know! Dr. Alan Lazarus from the CBS and the University of Toronto taught us what we do and don’t understand about immunglobulins and what alternatives might be in store for this precious and expensive medication. We learned about the organization and function of the BC Provincial Coordinating Office (PBCO) from Dr. Tanya Petraszko.

Tanya also highlighted a wonderful CBS initiative, #Climb4Cord that aims to raise funds through a Mount Kilimanjaro ascent, to develop a Canadian National public Cord Blood Bank. One of our own CBR members, Katherine Serrano, will be doing the climb and you are strongly encouraged to learn about #Climb4Cord and to donate to the cause!

By popular demand, we had 2 repeat performance this year. Dr. Kate Chipperfield once again baffled us with extraordinary blood bank-related case reports, while  Dr. Mark Yazer reminded us, first that sport is an essential ingredient of life, and second that physicians and scientists must recognize that there are common, but often “forgotten” complications of blood transfusion, that are readily managed.

We wish to thank our sponsors for providing the necessary funds to hold this Norman Bethune Symposium. Leading the way was CSL-Behring and Grifols, with further much-appreciated help from Alexion, Canadian Blood Services, Bayer, the CIHR, New England Biolabs, Nikon, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer and Takeda. These partnerships are most valued and indeed essential, allowing the Centre for Blood Research to continue to promote excellence in research, education, training and clinical care.

Videos of all the presentations can be found here.