Dana Devine (1956–2024)

It is with a heavy heart that I write to share some memories of Vox Sanguinis' former Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Dana Devine, who passed away on 12 November 2024. For over 25 years, I was lucky to call Dana a colleague and better yet, a friend. I first met her in 1998 when we both accepted positions at the new Canadian blood operator. It was the ‘in-between’ months before Canadian Blood Services was officially formed. Feelings of urgency and an earnestness to do some good were at the fore; and luckily for all of us, Dana was a part of our team. Upon first meeting her, I knew I was in brilliant company. The seemingly impossible task we were all there to accomplish—rebuilding Canada's blood system—became slightly less daunting knowing that Dana was going to be contributing thought leadership to our nascent organization and its important commitment to placing innovation in the forefront of our transformation agenda. In 1999, Dana became the first director of research and development at Canadian Blood Services, pioneering a programme that became the envy of many systems around the world. In 2007, she was appointed vice-president of the medical affairs and innovation division. At the time of her retirement, Dana was Canadian Blood Services' chief scientist. She served with distinction as a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine in the faculty of medicine at the University of British Columbia, and as a founding member, and later director, of the university's Centre for Blood Research. She also served as president of AABB and president of Biomedical Excellence for Safer Transfusion. And of course, editor-in-chief of this esteemed publication. Her impact on transfusion medicine and research knew no bounds. She was a gifted scientist, academic and industry leader. It is hard to imagine anything more impactful than her contributions to the field of transfusion medicine. But what would strike people most about Dana is that she was truly, genuinely kind. She was generous. She was funny. She was great company both professionally and personally. Throughout her career, Dana was dedicated to mentorship and to creating opportunities for under-represented groups. With a particular focus on supporting women and new Canadians, Dana vastly increased representation from these groups in her laboratory at the University of British Columbia, as just one example of the type of person she was. Her intellect, which was profound, was matched and perhaps even surpassed by her compassion, empathy and desire to support others. Dana was a deeply respected colleague whose work helped shape Canadian Blood Services, Vox Sanguinis, and I am certain every other organization she was a part of. Unsurprisingly, Dana kept in touch with me and many of her colleagues after her retirement in 2023. I believe she knew the time had come for her to step aside from her leadership roles in our organization, even though her heart may have called her to stay longer and contribute further. Her impact is near impossible to measure, and she will live on in the ways that she shaped our work and this field as a whole. In January 2024, Canadian Blood Services established an award in her name to support young academics. Investing in the minds of tomorrow was so very close to Dana's heart and I will think of her fondly when this award is named each year. I still think of her fondly when I am eating a fine meal and drinking a glass of good wine. She was a foodie and an oenophile, and—despite living many provinces apart—nothing beat the times when we had the opportunity to be together. It is during those times that we would share laughs and personal stories while also constantly imagining ways to drive ongoing innovation in our organization and in our industry more broadly. She was the epitome of a great colleague and a friend, precisely because above all she was a deeply special person, filled with kindness and good. She is sorely missed. My thoughts are with all those who knew Dana—we were all the better for it.