Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of patients by performing innovative research in blood and blood-related processes.

In 2002, a group of professors from the University of British Columbia (UBC) led by the founding director of the CBR, Dr. Ross MacGillivray,[4] gathered a team of scientists, engineers, social scientists and clinicians with expertise in a range of disciplines who could in combination address blood-related issues and health problems more effectively than they could individually.

Financial support for CBR research infrastructure and training and education programs was provided by the Universities of British Columbia, Victoria and Northern British Columbia, the Canadian Blood Services (CBS),[5] the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research,[6] the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and several industrial partners.

The CBR attempts to promote public awareness of the potential value of blood-related research for improving patient health.

Training and education programs have been established at the CBR for scientists and clinicians interested in pursuing careers in the field of blood and blood-related processes.