#United States #Washington, D.C. #Blood Biotherapies #AABB #Transfusion Medicine

AABB's Congressional Briefing on Blood Transfusions and Biotherapies

On January 28, 2025, the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB) will convene a congressional briefing designed to enlighten policymakers about the critical importance of blood transfusions and biotherapies. This event, entitled "Advancing Blood, Transfusion Medicine, and Biotherapies From Donor to Patient: From Lab to Bedside," aims to delineate the pressing challenges and burgeoning opportunities present within blood banking and transfusion medicine.

Event Highlights

The briefing will be held from 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM at the Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2168) in Washington, D.C. Notable leaders from AABB as well as prominent experts in the field will address various critical issues pertinent to blood health, including:

• - Significance of Blood Donation: Emphasizing the ongoing need for community engagement in blood donation to maintain a resilient blood supply.
• - Laboratories' Role: Outlining the vital functions laboratories serve in transfusion processes and the advancement of biotherapies.
• - Preparedness and Response: Discussing how the blood community can enhance its preparedness and responsiveness in times of crisis.
• - Importance of Research: Highlighting the necessity for continuous research to improve practices and outcomes in transfusion medicine.

Expert Speakers

Renowned experts will present at the briefing, including:

• - Debra BenAvram, FASAE, CAE - CEO of AABB
• - Meghan Delaney, DO, MPH - Chief, Division of Pathology Laboratory Medicine, Children's National Hospital
• - Nancy Dunbar, MD - Medical Director, Blood Bank, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
• - Delisa English, MBA - CEO, The Blood Connection
• - Ray Goodrich, PhD - Professor, Colorado State University
• - John Hagins - CEO, The Community Blood Center
• - Pampee Young, MD, PhD - Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, American Red Cross

These speakers will provide insights from their extensive experiences in the fields of blood transfusion and biotherapies, aiming to bring greater awareness to the legislative body on essential healthcare issues.

About AABB

The AABB is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the fields of transfusion medicine and biotherapies. With an international reach, it represents professionals and institutions committed to enhancing the safety, availability, and effectiveness of blood transfusions and related treatments. Through the development of educational standards and accreditation processes, AABB aims to improve lives globally.

This congressional briefing represents a significant opportunity for lawmakers to gain important insights that could influence national health policy and improve clinical practices regarding blood transfusions and biotherapies.