1. health and fitness
2. disease

2015 #11
INSIDE:
Our Space: Involvement =
Opportunity = Success ...
.....................................2
Get Ready for the ABC
Annual Meeting! ...........4
Spotlight on Chattanooga..
.....................................5
ABC Joins Alliance for
Aviation Across America
.....................................6
RESEARCH IN BRIEF ....7
March 19, 2015
Please Note: ABC is publishing this edition of the Newsletter early due to the ABC
Annual Meeting. The Newsletter will not be published on March 27 and will resume
regular publication on April 3. We hope to see you in our nation’s capital!
No Benefit from Fresh Blood in Critically Ill Patients
Is “fresh” blood really better than “older” blood? Transfusion medicine researchers have been trying to answer this question for the past several years. Some
observational studies have suggested that blood stored for longer periods is harmful to patients as compared to fresher blood, while others show no difference. The
results of a large randomized trial in critically ill patients show that fresher RBCs
did not offer any benefit over standard-issue RBCs in terms of mortality.
BRIEFLY NOTED ............7
REGULATORY NEWS ....8
INFECTIOUS DISEASE
UPDATES ....................9
STOPLIGHT®: Status of
the ABC Blood Supply,
2014 vs. 2015 .............11
MEMBER NEWS ...........12
COMPANY NEWS ........13
MEETINGS....................13
CLASSIFIED
ADVERTISING ...........14
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
...................................14
CALENDAR ...................16
It is well known that RBCs undergo morphological and biochemical changes that
may impact their functions during storage, but it has been unclear whether these
changes have any true clinical impact. Observational studies on this issue are
plagued by methodological issues, often confounded because sicker patients tend
to receive more blood, making them more likely to receive older units as those are
issued first. Two major randomized trials – the Red Cell Storage Age Study
(RECESS) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and the Age of Red Blood Cells
in Premature Infants (ARIPI) study in premature infants – have found no difference in outcomes when comparing older with fresher blood.
The results of the Age of Blood Evaluation (ABLE) trial, published in The New
England Journal of Medicine this week, provide further evidence that fresher
blood offers no benefit over older, stored blood. Jacques Lacroix, MD, of the
Univeristé de Montréal, and a large international group conducted a multicenter,
blinded trial in critically ill patients, who were randomized to receive either fresher blood or to standard-issue RBCs. They compared 90-day mortality (primary
outcome) between the two groups; secondary outcomes included major illness;
duration of respiratory, hemodynamic, or renal support; length of hospital stay;
and transfusion reactions.
Between March 2009 and May 2014, 64 healthcare facilities in Canada, the UK,
France, the Netherlands, and Belgium assigned 1,211 patients to receive fresh
blood (stored 8 days or less) and 1,219 to receive standard-issue RBCs. The average RBC storage age was 6.1+4.9 days in the fresh blood group, compared with
22+8.4 days in the standard blood group. At 90 days, 448 patients (37 percent) in
the fresh blood group and 430 (35 percent) in the standard-issue group had died –
a statistically insignificant difference. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the two groups in secondary outcomes.
(continued on page 3)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
OUR SPACE
William M. Coenen, ABC Chief Financial Officer
Involvement = Opportunity = Success
I never would have thought that 47 years ago, when interning for a local Certified Public Accounting (CPA)
firm that performed the annual audit for the Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City, that I would end
up with a 40-plus-year career in blood banking. This will be my last opportunity to write an article for Our
Space as an ABC staff member, so I thought I would use this opportunity to reminisce and share with you how
ABC (formerly the Council of Community Blood Centers) has been a major part of my career.
I was very lucky that Bill Bayer, MD, and then-executive director of the blood center, was willing to take a
risk on a young accountant who thought he knew everything about the blood bank since, after all, I had been
the senior auditor on the blood center account for the previous five years. Some of you who remember Dr.
Bayer know that he was very passionate about his beliefs. One of those was that senior staff should not only be
involved in local activities, but also national activities to be a successful leader. Within a year of my employment, I was on the ABC Finance Committee and preparing to give my first presentation at an ABC Annual
Meeting. Interestingly enough, the presentation was on the cost of blood – a topic generating much discussion
today.
The 1970s were a good time to be a chief financial officer at a blood center. Blood component usage was
growing and we prepared our budgets by doing the expense side first and then setting the fee. Of course, this
all changed in the 1980s and really has not stopped since. But during my career, because of my involvement
with ABC, I have had the opportunity to participate in the creation of many programs that have in some way
benefited both community blood centers and the patients we serve. For me, I will mark these accomplishments
all in the success column of my career.
So, if I am allowed to share some parting words of wisdom – get involved with ABC, provide the opportunity
for your staff to be involved, be a player, and make a difference. It will help make you successful both as a
blood bank leaders on the national stage and within the communities you serve.
Every two years ABC elects a new president and with the new president a call goes out for volunteers to staff
the ABC Committees, so now is your chance to make a difference and be successful. (Editor’s Note: ABC
members interested in serving on or learning more about ABC’s committees may contact Mack Benton at
[email protected].)
[email protected] 
The ABC Newsletter (ISSN #1092-0412) is published 46 times a
year by America’s Blood Centers® and distributed by e-mail.
Contents and views expressed are not official statements of ABC or
its Board of Directors. Copyright 2015 by America’s Blood
Centers. Reproduction of the ABC Newsletter is forbidden unless
permission is granted by the publisher. (ABC members need not
obtain prior permission if proper credit is given.)
America’s Blood Centers
President: Dave Green
CEO: Christine S. Zambricki
Editor: Betty Klinck
Business Manager: Leslie Norwood
ABC is an association of not-for-profit, independent community
blood centers that helps its members provide excellence in
transfusion medicine and related health services. ABC provides
leadership in donor advocacy, education, national policy, quality,
and safety; and in finding efficiencies for the benefit of donors,
patients, and healthcare facilities by encouraging collaboration
among blood organizations and by acting as a forum for sharing
information and best practices.
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ABC Newsletter
-3-
March 19, 2015
Fresh v. Old Blood (continued from page 1)
“The ABLE study did not show any benefit attributable to the transfusion of fresh RBCs in critically ill
patients. Not only were the primary outcomes similar in the two study groups, but the results were consistent in all per-protocol and subgroup analysis,” wrote the authors. “We surmise that the use of fresh
red cells is not justified at this time. We might also infer that changes to red cells or the storage medium
that have been documented in many laboratory studies may have limited clinical consequences.”
This study is the first one large enough to detect clinically important differences in 90-day mortality and
enrolled a wide spectrum of critically ill patients. However, the authors note that there are some limitations to their research, including the possibility that some groups of critically ill patients who are
particularly vulnerable to potentially adverse consequences of stored-RBCs were underrepresented.
The authors add that these findings confirm previous randomized clinical trials in this area and refute
previous observational studies that have suggested deleterious effects of transfusing RBCs that have been
stored for longer periods. Such studies “may have been spurious owing to sicker patients receiving more
units with longer storage, the overlap between comparison groups in the age of the RBCs transfused, and
the inclusion of transfusion that occurred after clinical events,” note the authors.
“In answer to any question about ‘old’ blood contributing to post-transfusion morbidity and mortality,
studies like ABLE trump conclusions from the earlier observational and retrospective studies,” said Merlyn Sayers, MBBCh, PhD, president and CEO of Carter BloodCare. “If there are categories of patients
for whom ‘fresh’ blood is justified, there is no substitute for prospective, randomized clinical trials to
identify the candidates.”
Dr. Sayers will moderate a session on the age of blood at the ABC Annual Meeting on March 22 in
Washington, D.C., during which Dean A. Fergusson, MHA, PhD, of the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and a co-author of the ABLE trial, will discuss his research. Darrell J. Triulzi, MD, of the Institute
for Transfusion Medicine, will also discuss the Red Cell Storage Age in Cardiac Surgery (RECESS) trial.
Citations: Lacroix J, et al. Age of transfused blood in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med. 17 March
2015. [Epub ahead of print]
Fergusson DA, et al. Effects of fresh red blood cell transfusions on clinical outcomes in premature, very
low-birth weight infants: the ARIPI randomized trial. JAMA 2012 Oct. 10;308(14):1443-51.
Steiner, ME, et al. Randomized trial results: red cell storage age is not associated with a significant difference in multiple-organ dysfunction score or mortality in transfused cardiac surgery patients.
Transfusion 2014;54 Supplement: 15A 
We Welcome Your Letters
The ABC Newsletter welcomes letters from its readers on any blood-related topic that might be of
interest to ABC members. Letters should be kept relatively short and to the point, preferably about a
topic that has recently been covered in the ABC Newsletter. Letters are subject to editing for brevity
and good taste. Please send letters to ABC Editor Betty Klinck at [email protected] or
fax them to (202) 393-1282. Please include your correct title and organization as well as your phone
number. The deadline for letters is Wednesday to make it into the next newsletter.
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
INSIDE ABC
The programs and services described in the Inside ABC section are available to ABC member blood centers and
their staff only, unless otherwise specified. 
Get Ready for the ABC Annual Meeting!
The ABC Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. is just around the corner – kicking off Friday, March 20
with the International Blood Safety Forum and wrapping up Tuesday, March 22 with the Advocacy Forum and ABC member visits to Capitol Hill. Are you ready for your trip to the nation’s capital? Below
are some tips and reminders to ensure that you’re prepared to make the most of your visit.
 Download the new America’s Blood Centers’ event app. ABC is pleased to launch a new mobile
application, which allows meeting attendees to access a wealth of information and details at their
fingertips. Through the app, users can access the event schedule and customize their agenda; check
out speakers and access presentations; learn more about meeting sponsors; receive meeting updates;
see who’s attending and share contact information; and complete meeting surveys. All attendees can
download the app by searching for “America’s Blood Centers” in the Apple App Store or Google
Play. To download the app on your mobile phone or tablet click here. To access the app on your
desktop click here. Once logged in, you will need your personal registration confirmation code to
access your registration schedule, which attendees can find in the e-mail sent by Abbey Nunes earlier this week. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
 Plan to attend top-notch networking events. There’s still time to register for “A Monumental Affair,” hosted by the Foundation for America’s Blood Centers, on Sunday evening at the Top of the
Town venue in Arlington, Va., which offers a monumental view of the Washington skyline. Tickets
are $200 per person and will benefit the FABC; transportation is provided. To add this event to your
registration, contact Jodi Zand at [email protected]. And don’t forget the Annual Awards of
Excellence and ABC’s Got Talent show are included in your registration at no additional cost!
Come out on Monday, March 22 and recognize those who have shown exceptional commitment to
advancing the mission of community blood centers, and enjoy some top-shelf entertainment by your
very own colleagues in the first-ever ABC’s Got Talent fundraiser.
 Get ready for your close-up with Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA). ABC members are invited to share
their thoughts and concerns one-on-one with Rep. Farr by attending a congressional fundraiser at the
Ritz-Carlton from 7 to 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24. ABC members and guests are encouraged
to attend the fundraiser and make a personal donation via check – so, don’t forget to bring your
checkbook. This is your chance to share your ideas, shake hands, and even snap a photo with a congressman who has been a friend of the blood banking industry! (Note: campaign finance laws
prohibit contributions by corporations or blood centers.) More information and RSVP details can be
found here.
 Plan to attend the Advocacy Forum and confirm Capitol Hill appointments. The Advocacy Forum, directly following the congressional fundraiser for Rep. Farr at 7:30 a.m., is included with the
Annual Meeting registration, and ABC strongly encourages all ABC members to attend. If you are
planning to meet with your member(s) of Congress, don’t forget to confirm your appointment and
brush up on ABC’s advocacy agenda with these helpful one-pagers.
(continued on page 5)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
INSIDE ABC (continued from page 4)
If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting, contact
[email protected]. We look forward to seeing you in Washington!
Lori
Beaston
at
Spotlight on Chattanooga
Home of ABC Member Blood Assurance and Host City of the
2015 Fund Development, Communications & Donor Management Workshop
Outdoor & Tech Edition. With it’s beautiful 13-mile Riverwalk,
running along the Tennessee River and scenic hiking and biking trails
– it’s no surprise that Outside magazine named Chattanooga the
“Best Town Ever.” But you might not be aware that some have touted
Chattanooga as the next Silicon Valley, evolving a hot spot for entrepreneurs and start-ups over the past couple of years. Chattanooga
attracts both outdoor enthusiasts and techies alike!
With access to some of the nation’s top venues for rock climbing,
road and mountain biking, white-water rafting, hang gliding, and
more, Chattanooga offers activities for even the most hardcore
outdoor activity enthusiasts. Adventurers will find themselves right at
home at downtown’s Chattanooga’s newest attraction – High Point
Climbing and Fitness, a premiere rock climbing facility with indoor
and outdoor climb walls up to 60 ft. tall. High Point boasts more than
28,000 sq. ft. of climbing surface.
Looking for a more relaxing outdoor experience? Chattanooga’s got
that covered too! You can take a leisurely stroll down the scenic
Riverwalk, enjoy a picnic in one of the many parks, or take one of the
numerous boat tours down the Tennessee River where guests can
learn about the city’s rich history and enjoy the beautiful Chattanooga
riverfront. Visitors and locals alike also delight in the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway, a train ride that takes patrons up the steep
Chattanooga’s Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
makes its steep climb up the scenic mountainside.
Photo Credit: Chattanooga Visitors Bureau
A biker rides along the 13-mile Riverwalk, near the Walnut
Street Bridge at Coolidge Park. Photo Credit: Chattanooga
Visitors Bureau
incline of Lookout Mountain. Chattanooga’s surrounding mountains
and valleys come alive as the trolley-style rail carry guests cloud-high
for incredible views.
If outdoor activities aren’t for you, Chattanooga also offers a fastgrowing techie scene. Chattanooga combines advanced technology
infrastructure with a thriving cosmopolitan atmosphere, just minutes
from mountains, rivers, and outdoor playgrounds. Thanks to a project
called GIGTANK, Chattanooga is the first city in the Western Hemisphere to offer one-gigabit-per-second fiber internet service to all
residents and businesses. The fiber network that permits Gig service
was installed by Chattanooga’s publicly owned electric power system,
EPB, to support the most advanced smart grid in the nation. Chattanooga is becoming one of the fastest-growing technology start-up
sites – sure to impress any internet junky!
From outdoorsy types to internet innovators – Chattanooga has
something for everyone! We hope that you’ll join us in exploring this
wonderful city for the ABC Fund Development, Communications and
Donor Management Workshop held at the DoubleTree Hotel from
June 16 to 19. Lookout for news about registration, which opens April
1. Contact Lori Beaston at [email protected] with questions
about
registration
or
Mack
Benton
at
[email protected] for questions about the workshop
program. Contact Abbey Nunes at [email protected] for
sponsorship opportunities.
INSIDE ABC (continued on page 6)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
ABC Joins Alliance for Aviation Across America
America’s Blood Centers and the Alliance for Aviation Across America recently announced that ABC has
joined the Alliance to work with the group to raise awareness about the critical importance of general
aviation as a tool that helps transport the nation’s blood supply. The Alliance is a non-profit coalition of
more than 6,300 individuals and organizations that support the interest of the general aviation community
across various public policy issues.
“We are very excited to be working with such a prestigious organization as America’s Blood Centers to
raise awareness about the importance of general aviation to the distribution of our nation’s blood supply,”
said Selena Shilad, executive director of the Alliance. “General aviation is especially useful in transporting blood to remote communities and during times of disasters.”
General aviation has been used for transporting blood after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, as well
as relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It has helped supply blood banks all across the country on
a daily basis.
“General aviation and our nation’s airports represent a critical transportation network for supplying the
country with blood,” said ABC CEO Christine Zambricki, DNAP, CRNA, FAAN. “Many blood banks in
rural areas wouldn’t be able to support their communities, and communities would not be able to respond
(continued on page 7)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
INSIDE ABC (continued from page 6)
in times of need without general aviation and our network of airports. We look forward to working with
the Alliance to raise awareness about the importance of blood banks across the country and the role of
general aviation in the distribution of this critical need.” (Source: Alliance for Aviation Across America
and ABC joint press release, 2/26/15) 
RESEARCH IN BRIEF
A study published in Blood shows how the mutant protein FIX-Padua relieved symptoms of hemophilia in three dogs with severe forms of the disease, suggesting that gene therapy may be possible
for patients with hemophilia. The most common treatment for hemophilia is infusions with clotting
factors. This treatment has downsides in more severe hemophilia cases, including the need for more frequent treatments and the potential for patients to develop inhibitory antibodies. In the current study,
Valder R. Arruda, MD, of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and colleagues investigated a technique that delivers lower gene vector doses to reduce the immune response, while producing effective
clotting factor levels. Based upon previous findings that factor IX (FIX) Padua clots blood 8-12 times
more strongly than normal FIX genes, the authors investigated it as a potential candidate for gene therapy. They administered the FIX-Padua gene in and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to three dogs
with severe forms of hemophilia B similar to those found in humans. One dog already had inhibitory
antibodies, having been exposed to clotting factors before, while two of the dogs had never been exposed
to clotting factors. The two dogs without inhibitors had improvement in their hemophilia within one
week, improving from severe to mild. The dogs had no bleeding episodes for up to two years. They had
no immune response to FIX-Padua and there were no signs of thrombosis. The dog that had pre-existing
inhibitors also showed improvement from severe to mild, lasting for three years. A clinical trial of FIXPadua has started at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, testing the safety and efficacy of the
gene therapy in adult patients with hemophilia B.
Citation: Crudele JM, et al. AAV liver expression of FIX-Padua prevents and eradicates FIX inhibitor
without increasing thrombogenicity in hemophilia B dogs and mice. Blood. 2015 Mar 5;125(1):1553-61
BRIEFLY NOTED
AABB recently announced that it is accepting abstracts for the 2015 AABB Annual Meeting, to be
held Oct. 24 to 27 in Anaheim, Calif. Submissions from both members and non-members are welcome
in a number of scientific and administrative categories, including topics in transfusion medicine, cell
therapies, and patient blood management. Abstracts must be submitted online by Wednesday, May 6 at
12 p.m. EDT. Those who submit abstracts that are accepted will be notified by July 1. (Source: AABB
Weekly Report, 3/13/15)
Global Healing, an international non-profit organization dedicated to improving health systems in
in the resource-constrained parts of the world, recently issued its 2014 annual report. The report
highlights Global Healing’s work and accomplishments throughout 2014, including projects to improve
the quality and safety of the blood supply in Georgia, Haiti, Moldova, and Ukraine. Among numerous
other volunteers, Global Healing recognized America’s Blood Centers’ director of Regulatory Services,
Ruth Sylvester, and Pete Lux, of ABC member Indiana Blood Center, for their work to advance blood
banking services in Georgia. The report also highlights the work of Chris Gresens, MD, of ABC member
(continued on page 8)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
BRIEFLY NOTED (continued from page 7)
BloodSource, for his efforts working with the National Blood Transfusion Center in Moldova. America’s
Blood Centers will co-host the second International Blood Safety Forum with Global Healing in conjunction with ABC’s Annual Meeting on March 20 at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City. Global Healing’s
annual report also highlights its goals for 2015, recognizes the 20 th anniversary of the organization, and
provides a financial overview and listing of its staff and board of directors. (Source: Global Healing annual report 2014, 3/16/15)
Last week, Apple announced the launch of ResearchKit, a new iPhone-based platform that researchers can use to design and administer app-based studies. ResearchKit, an open-source platform
for creating iPhone apps that collect healthcare data, will bring together large amounts of personal data
from a significant portion of the population. This is a crucial step in tying big data, connected sensors,
and medicine together for advancing public and personal health. With countless owners of smartphones
and wearable devices already using their devices to count their sleep, exercise, and blood pressure – ResearchKit could make it easier for researchers to recruit these users and collect and share their data as
part of large-scale clinical studies. Apple launched the app on March 9 and presented the first five apps
built with ResearchKit during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin. The first five apps are
designed to study asthma, breast cancer, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. ResearchKit allows researchers to build applications and get data out of the iPhone that might be useful for
their own purposes, and offers a chance to give patients objective tests for diseases, such as Parkinson’s,
as opposed to subjective evaluations based on a doctor’s opinion. In the case of the asthma app, the
phone would be used in conjunction with environmental tests and connected inhalers, so the GPS coordinates of the places where a person used their inhaler could be linked to the environmental tests. Could
such apps have a place in blood banking? “Mobile devices are everywhere because they are easy to use
while helping us stay connected and entertained,” Kevin Land, MD, senior medical director, Field Operations, at Blood Systems, told the ABC Newsletter. “With the rise of healthcare-oriented resources such as
Apple’s ResearchKit, blood centers and researchers must reimagine our world so that it can be accessed
via today’s mobile device consumer. We would have novel ways to remotely help donors manage their
reactions, post pictures to social media apps, answer short surveys, set up their next appointments, or find
out what blood components are needed – and all for the price of a virtual achievement badge and a few
QR codes.” The app will be made available as an open-source framework for other app developers in
April. (Source: NBC News online, 3/9/15) 
REGULATORY NEWS
The Food and Drug Administration announced on Thursday updates to its Direct Recall Classification (DRC) program within the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, which offers a more
user-friendly and less labor-intensive way to submit biologic recalls to the agency. “The DRC refers
to the classification of biologic recalls directly by personnel in CBER in lieu of more traditional methods
that require additional hours of work by personnel located in each FDA district office,” according to
FDA. DRC was designed to use current information technology to streamline recall classification of biological products. Through the use of an electronic interface between two existing agency databases, the
time and resources previously needed to review and classify recalls of biological products has been greatly reduced, according to FDA. One major update of interest to blood bankers is the ability to more easily
submit electronic biological product deviation reports (eBPDRs). FDA notes that members of the biologics industry will now be able to provide information to FDA regarding a recall submitted to the agency
electronically, thus reducing the burden of copying manual records and sending them to an FDA district
(continued on page 9)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
REGULATORY NEWS (continued from page 8)
office. DRC also facilitates communications with the agency to answer questions or to gather more information regarding a recall. More information about the DRC can be found here. (Source: FDA DRC
web page, 3/19/15)
The Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) published its 2014 report from the CBER director. CBER notes in the report that the agency has made
“significant contributions to public health, both nationally and globally, during fiscal year 2014. CBER
approved a novel influenza vaccine, treatments for certain blood disorders, tests to support blood typing,
and a device for use in preparing cells to restore the immune system following its depletion as part of a
blood cancer treatment. CBER also pursued research in regulatory science into pertussis and other diseases, and responded to a fast-moving outbreak of Ebola virus in Africa. The report highlights several
advances in the Office of Blood Research and Review, including the approval of the Immucor Precise
Type HEA Molecular BeadChip Test, the first molecular assay licensed in the US for determining donor
and patient non-ABO/RhD red blood cell antigenic phenotypes, as well as approval of monoclonal blood
grouping reagents for rare blood types that are useful for resolving blood typing discrepancies. (Source:
FDA CBER 2014 report from the director, 3/18/15)
The Food and Drug Administration launched on March 4 the agency’s first mobile app specifically
designed to speed public access to information about drug shortages. The app identifies current drug
shortages, resolved shortages, and discontinuations of drug products. “The FDA understands that
healthcare professionals and pharmacists need real-time information about drug shortages to make treatment decisions,” Valerie Jensen, associate director of the Drug Shortage staff in the FDA’s Center for
Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a press release. “The new mobile app is an innovative tool that
will offer easier and faster access to important drug shortage information.” App users can search or
browse by a drug’s generic name or active ingredient, and browse by a therapeutic category. The app can
also be used to report a suspected drug shortage or supply issue to FDA. It can be downloaded via iTunes
for Apple devices and the Google Play store for Android devices by searching “FDA Drug Shortages.”
More information is available here. The app reports only shortages of products regulated by the Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research – not those regulated by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), which regulates biologics. Shortages and discontinuations of CBER-regulated products
can be found here; this website is optimized for smartphones and mobile devices and CBER currently has
no plans for a center-specific app. (Source: FDA press release, 3/4/15) 
INFECTIOUS DISEASE UPDATES
ROSS RIVER VIRUS
The first case of probable transfusion-transmitted Ross River virus (RRV) infection was recently reported in the Medical Journal of Australia. In May 2014, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service received
notification from a donor who developed fatigue and arthralgia two days after giving blood in March
2014, and was diagnosed with acute RRV infection. RRV is an arthropod-borne alphavirus, as is
chikungunya virus, and is the most common mosquito-borne infection in Australia. Blood components
from the implicated donor were identified and the red blood cell (RBC) unit was traced to a recipient.
Following notification of the treating physician, the transfused patient underwent serological testing for
RRV and was found to be positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM), consistent with recent infection. The
recipient spent most of her time indoors and could not recall having been bitten by mosquitoes, making
transfusion transmission likely. Archived samples from the donation were positive for RRV nucleic acid.
(continued on page 10)
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
INFECTIOUS DISEASE UPDATES (continued from age 9)
Unfortunately, no recipient samples to demonstrate the presence of the virus were available. Arboviruses
(e.g., dengue and West Nile virus) are transfusion-transmissible, but transfusion transmission of RRV
was theoretical prior to this report. “In response to this, the Blood Service is taking steps to strengthen its
messaging to donors regarding the development of post-donation illnesses,” wrote the authors. The Blood
Service does not screen for RRV, because there are currently no available donor screening assays, but
manages the risk by asking donors about symptoms that could indicate RRV. “RRV is not present in
North America, but since this is an alphavirus like chikungunya, the report is important,” said America’s
Blood Centers Chief Medical Officer Louis Katz, MD. “Transfusion transmission of chikungunya is not
recognized. It is, however, an active concern due to the presence of asymptomatic viremia, the millions of
cases worldwide, the one million-plus infections that have occurred since the virus was introduced to the
Western Hemisphere in 2013, and the occurrence of 11 autochthonous cases in Florida last year. Mitigation of the risk of chikungunya is on the FDA’s guidance agenda for 2015. A credible, if not definitive,
report of alphavirus transmission by blood reinforces the need for careful surveillance.”
Citation: Hoad VC, et al. First reported case of transfusion-transmitted Ross River virus infection. Med
J Aust. 2015 March 16;202(5):267-9.
MALARIA
A group of Scandinavian researchers report in a recent Nature Medicine study that people with blood
type O are less susceptible to the most severe types of malaria, while those with blood type A are more
susceptible due to a protein that bonds more weakly with type O than type A blood cells. In certain cases
of severe malaria, infected red blood cells (RBCs) stick to capillaries and other small vessels in the infected person’s circulatory system, blocking blood flow and causing oxygen deficiency and tissue
damage – this is called “rosetting.” Researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden recently investigated the role of the RFIN protein, which the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite secretes, in the
development of severe malaria. The RFIN protein is expressed on the surface of an infected person’s
RBCs. The researchers discovered that RFIN binds the parasite strongly with type A blood cells, but only
weakly links to type O – making these individuals more resistant to developing severe malaria. The identification of the role of RFINs in severe malaria may provide a new target when screening for new drugs.
They add that these findings “may imply that RFINs contribute to the varying global distribution of ABO
blood group in favor of blood group O.”
Citation: Goel S, et al. RFINs are adhesions implicated in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Nat
Med. 2015 March 9. [Epub ahead of print] 
We Welcome Your Articles
We at the ABC Newsletter welcome freelance articles on any subject relevant to the blood banking community.
Writers are encouraged to submit short proposals or unsolicited manuscripts of no more than 1,100 words.
While ABC cannot pay for freelance pieces, the writer’s name and title will be included at the end of the story,
brief news item, or commentary. If proposing a story, please write a few paragraphs describing the idea and
sources of information you will use, your present job and background, and your qualifications for writing on
the topic. ABC staff cannot guarantee all stories will be published, and all outside writing will be subject to
editing for style, clarity, brevity, and good taste. Please submit ideas and manuscripts to ABC Editor Betty
Klinck at [email protected]. You will be sent a writer’s guide that provides information on style
conventions, story structure, deadlines, etc.
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
STOPLIGHT®: Status of the ABC Blood Supply, 2014 vs. 2015
Percent of Supply
4%
7%
27%
47%
9%
38%
13%
27%
8%
31%
6%
29%
2%
30%
2%
7%
20%
33%
11%
21%
49%
55%
45%
38%
10%
11%
2/19/14 2/18/15
No Res ponse
8%
53%
51%
8%
10%
2/26/14 2/25/15
3/5/14
Gree n: 3 or More Day s
48%
55%
18%
14%
3/4/15
25%
3/12/14 3/11/15
Ye llow: 2 Da ys
48%
48%
18%
20%
3/19/14 3/18/15
Red: 1 Da y or Les s
T he order of the bars is (from top to bottom), red, yellow, green, and no response
ABC Newsletter
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March 19, 2015
MEMBER NEWS
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Gainesville, Fla. held the Five Points of Life Marathon over
Valentine’s Day Weekend, marking the event’s 10th anniversary. LifeSouth began the Five Points
program in 1997 as a cross-country bike ride to raise awareness about the donation of blood and other
products of human origin, and in 2006 transitioned from a bike ride to a marathon. “We now
have Five Points of Life Kids Marathons in 10
different cities, and this year we’ll connect more
than 4,000 kids,” said Five Points of Life Foundation Director Brite Whitaker. “The race
weekend here in Gainesville drew more than
2,000 adult and children participants.” The Five
Points include blood, apheresis, marrow, cord
blood, and organ and tissue. In addition to the
runs, Five Points developed age-appropriate
curriculum to teach students about the science More than 1,000 runners hit the streets of Gainesville for the
th
behind blood donation and to highlight the im- 10 annual Five Points of Life Marathon and Half Marathon.
pact that donation can make in the lives of
patients. There are versions for elementary, middle, and high school students. The classroom component
was established in 2010 with funding from the Foundation for America’s Blood Centers, and the program
was shared with all ABC members so that they could adapt the program to their blood centers. “By offering the classroom programs at schools in advance of blood drives, we’ve seen our donations climb,” said
Ms. Whitaker. “Young kids go home and tell mom and dad what they’ve learned, and the parents come to
donate.” She added, “And for kids who’ve grown up learning about donation, it takes some of the fear
out of that first step onto a bloodmobile. We say we’re creating the donation generation.” (Source:
LifeSouth press release, 3/16/15)
Theodore (Ted) Matthies, a long-time, regular blood donor, recently reached his 100th gallon of
donated blood – a goal he has been working toward since he began donating blood with San Diego
Blood Bank (SDBB) in the 1980s. Mr. Matthies
made his first donation when SDBB held a blood
drive at the San Diego Office of the Board of Equalization. A graduate of San Diego State University, he
works in the office of the Board of Equalization
member, Diane L. Harkey as a professional adviser.
Mr. Matthies fondly remembers an occasion when he
was to see his donation directly affect the life of a
newborn baby, according to an SDBB press release.
A dedicated platelet donor, he arrives at the Sabre
Springs Donor Center every other Monday morning
to make his donation. “Mr. Matthies’ accomplishment is the mark of true dedication and caring for his
fellow man,” said David Wellis, PhD, CEO of San Pictured left to right are SDBB staff Janet Villa, Suzanne
Diego Blood Bank. “The fact that we have people Frisch, Patty Raymond, Sabre Springs Donor Center
Manager Colleen Curry, Susana Vivar, and Natalie
like him in our community who selflessly give the Bracamonte, celebrating Ted Matthies (center) 100th
gift of life and expect nothing in return is inspiration- gallon donation.
al. He is responsible for saving hundreds of lives.”
SDBB held a ceremony commemorating Mr. Matthies accomplishment following his donation. 
David Green & Christine Zambricki cordially invite you to a breakfast in honor of Congressman Sam Farr
____________________________________________________________________________ Tuesday, March 24, 2015 7:00 am to 7:30 am The Ritz‐Carlton at Pentagon City 1250 South Hayes Street Arlington, VA 22202
_________________________________________________________________________
Suggested Contributions: $500 Host | $25o Supporter | $100 Friend Please RSVP to Jennifer Frost at (202) 285‐0966 or [email protected] Friends of Farr 3701 Porter Street, NW – Washington, DC 20016 FEC: C00290429 | www.friendsoffarr.org Contributions or gifts to Friends of Farr are not tax deductible. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in an election cycle. Contributions are limited to $10,000 per PAC per election cycle ($5,000 primary and $5,000 general) and $5,400 per individual per election cycle ($2,700 primary and $2,700 general). Contributions from the general treasury funds of corporations, labor unions, and national banks are prohibited. Federal contractors and foreign nationals who are not admitted for permanent residence in the United States are prohibited from making contributions. All contributions must be from personal funds and may not be reimbursed or paid by any other person. Paid for by Friends of Farr ABC Newsletter
-13-
March 19, 2015
COMPANY NEWS
Cerus Corp. announced on Monday that the first patient in Puerto Rico has been enrolled in its
TReatment UsE (TRUE) study to investigate the use of Intercept Blood System-treated platelets in
regions of the US with outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue viruses. The American Red Cross is
producing Intercept treated platelet components for the study, which is being conducted in Puerto Rico
and designed to evaluate the safety of Intercept platelets. While Intercept is already FDA-approved for
the treatment of platelets in platelet additive solution, participating in the investigational device exemption (IDE) for the purposes of the TRUE study allows the American Red Cross to continue producing
platelets in 100 percent plasma, according to its standard practice in the island. Cerus plans to submit an
FDA application this year to enable Intercept treatment of platelets in 100 percent plasma. More information about the study can be accessed in the Cerus press release. (Source: Cerus press release,
3/16/15)
MEETINGS
April 22
AdvaMed Mobile Health, Wellness, and Medical: A Privacy Workshop, Washington, D.C.
The Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed) will hold “Mobile Health,
Wellness, and Medical: A Privacy Workshop” on April 22 in Washington, D.C. This
workshop will help attendees navigate the expectations and requirements of the Food and
Drug Administration, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and state attorneys general on
issues relating to privacy and security with mobile apps. This one-day workshop will focus on the regulatory requirements with five modules. Registration and more details can
be accessed here.
April 27-28
AABB Symposium: Implementation of Pathogen-Reduced Blood Components, Bethesda, Md.
In response to the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of pathogen reduction system for plasma and platelets, AABB will hold a symposium to explore the
implications of the new approval. “Implementation of Pathogen-Reduced Blood Components” will be held from April 27-28 in Bethesda, Md. The meeting will feature
discussions about operational issues associated with initiating these technologies. AABB
has invited European speakers to share their experiences with pathogen reduction technologies. More information and registration details can be found here. 
ABC Newsletter
-14-
March 19, 2015
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Classified advertisements, including notices of positions available and wanted, are published free of charge for a maximum of three weeks per position per calendar year for ABC institutional members. There are charges for non-members:
$139 per placement for ABC Newsletter subscribers and $279 for non-subscribers. A six (6) percent processing fee will be
applied to all credit card payments. Notices ordinarily are limited to 150 words. To place an ad, contact Leslie Norwood at
the ABC office. Phone: (202) 654-2917; fax: (202) 393-5527; e-mail: [email protected].
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Quality Assurance Officer. The Blood Bank of Alaska
is seeking a Quality Assurance (QA) Officer. The quality assurance officer is responsible for ensuring all areas
of the Blood Bank of Alaska (BBA) are operating in
compliance with applicable government regulations,
accrediting agency standards or consignee requirements
related to the collection, processing, testing and distribution of blood products, cellular therapy products and
services. The QA Officer participates as a member of
the BBA management team in planning, program formulation, and systems development. The QA Officer is
responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring the QA program for all operating divisions of BBA.
The incumbent for this role must possess excellent
conceptual, communication, and analytical skills; must
understand general work flow processes and equipment
used in a medical facility; and must have excellent interactive skills necessary in communicating with coworkers and regulatory officials. BBA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered
for employment without regard to race, color, religion,
national origin, age, disability, marital/veteran status or
any other legally protected status. Interested candidates
please
apply
via
our
website
at
www.bloodbankofalaska.org.
Immunohematology Reference Laboratory Specialty
Lab Tech III (Full-time and Part-time positions
available). Make a life-saving difference by joining the
dedicated staff of Michigan Blood. We have served
Michigan communities for over 55 years and are seeking qualified individuals to serve in our
Immunohematology Reference Laboratory. In this Livonia-based position, you will use your strong technical
skills and laboratory training to assist with patient transfusion needs, perform advanced serological testing and
ensure quality control of instruments and equipment.
The ideal candidate will enjoy working in a team environment and strive to provide excellent customer
service. This position requires great attention to detail
and the ability to prioritize and perform work successfully under pressure. Qualifications required:
MT(ASCP), BB(ASCP), or equivalent qualifications,
and one year of blood banking or immunohematology
reference laboratory experience within the last five
years. Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) or desire to
seek SBB or equivalent will be taken into consideration
when hiring. Schedule will be predominately 1 st shift
and requires taking call every third week. We offer a
competitive salary and benefit plan. If you want to be
part of our lifesaving organization, please apply via our
website: www.miblood.org. EOE
Regional Sales Director. Cerus Corporation is searching for a regional sales director. This is a field-based
position with the primary focus to prospect and close
supply agreements for INTERCEPT Blood Systems
with key blood centers and self-collecting hospital customer accounts in the North American transfusion
medicine market. The individual will manage these
opportunities by coordinating and leading field activities, gathering and communicating market data,
profiling key accounts, establishing the value proposition and utilizing internal resources to do the necessary
analysis to build a strong business case and drive revenue generation for Cerus. Position Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree with five-plus year’s medical sales
experience. Experience/knowledge of blood banking
industry strongly preferred and three-plus years’ experience working with national accounts or equivalent. To
apply, please submit resume to [email protected]. Visit
our website at www.cerus.com.
Quality Assurance and Compliance Specialist III.
San Diego Blood Bank’s Quality Assurance and Compliance department is in search of an outstanding
individual who possesses a high degree of integrity, is
facilitative in nature, understand the importance of
compliance, and will act as an advocate of quality services. Duties to include: Assist the VP, Quality and
Regulatory Affairs with developing, implementing and
executing quality assurance processes and practices that
support the manufacture of FDA-regulated biologic
blood, cell and tissue products, and other related regulatory activities. Assist in managing and monitoring
systems and processes, in support of the SDBB Quality
Plan, promoting an organizational culture of excellence.
Ensure that performance and quality of products conform to established standards and regulatory
requirements. Requires the ability to analyze complex
issues, work independently and the flexibility to meet
changing business and stakeholder needs. Bachelor's
degree. RN or CLS and/or SBB(ASCP), ASQ or Health
(continued on page 15)
ABC Newsletter
POSITIONS (continued from page 14)
Care Compliance Certification Board (CHC, CHRC).
Five-plus years’ experience required. To apply, please
visit: http://sandiegobloodbank.applicantpro.com/jobs/.
The San Diego Blood Bank is an Equal Opportunity
Employer. EOE/Minority/Female/Disability/Vets
Blood Donor Recruitment Director. Kentucky Blood
Center (KBC), located in Lexington, Ky. seeks a dynamic professional to manage and mentor a team of seven
account managers charged with the responsibility of
recruiting organizations to sponsor blood drives. This
individual will meet with staff regularly to motivate,
review progress against assigned goals; enhance productivity and effectiveness; provide educational leadership;
and analyze historical data to help develop and implement appropriate donor recruitment strategies. Must be
goal-oriented, a creative problem-solver capable of
thinking outside the box, and a team player who believes in the mission of helping others. Must identify,
build, and maintain effective, positive, and proactive
strategic alliances for the advancement of KBC. Qualified applicants must have bachelor’s degree in related
field; minimum of five years’ experience, with demonstrated success, in sales/account management; and
excellent writing, public speaking, and interpersonal
skills. Working knowledge of Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint, etc. Some in-state travel required. Competitive
salary,
comprehensive
benefits
including
health/dental/life,
STD,
LTD,
paid
sick/vacations/holidays, EAP, 403(b) retirement savings
plan, and pension plan. For more information or to
apply online, please visit www.kybloodcenter.org.
Drug-free and EOE/AAP.
Operation Systems Administrator. Mississippi Valley
Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) is conducting a
search for an Operation Systems Administrator. This
position is responsible for the application administration
for the organization’s operational systems. This encompasses the LifeTec Elite software suites, which is the
blood establishment computer system (BECS), BloodHub (Order Management System), eDonor (Donor
Recruitment, Loyalty and Scheduling), Hemasphere
(CRM tool, staffing resources, and calendar features)
and other departmental applications. You will be working with the Operation Systems team and various crossfunctional team members in the development and administration of the mission-critical software systems at
MVRBC. Software Release/Upgrades – Project Management Application of Quality Systems Policy to
Operational Systems-routine interaction with Quality
Support Services Vendor Communications as it relates
to development and administration. The ideal candidate
will possess a demonstrated background in software/systems administration. Previous blood center
experience and knowledge of LifeTec Elite is highly
desired. Knowledge of web-based software applications
and database administration. We offer a competitive
-15-
March 19, 2015
salary and excellent benefits including health, dental,
vision, life, and 401(k). Pre-employment drug screen
and background check required. Please go to our website for more information or to apply online:
www.bloodcenter.org.
Manager, Donor Recruitment. Mississippi Valley
Regional Blood Center (MVRBC) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader to support the
growth and development of our 19 donor centers
through donor recruitment and retention activities/programs. We are searching for a creative and
energetic individual to develop new programs, enhance
existing programs, and increase our donor base. This
individual will also provide direction to our call center
operations. You will also be providing oversight and
direction to our Donor Scheduling teams. This will
include working with our distribution and business
development teams to determine blood collection needs
and applying that information to the direction of the
donor outreach. What you need: The ideal candidate
will possess previous supervisory experience with
demonstrated achievement of meeting defined metrics.
Previous call center management experience is a plus. A
bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of experience and education, is required to be considered;
preferred studies include business, communications, or
marketing. Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities,
Women, Veterans, Disabilities. Please go to our website
for more information or to apply online:
www.bloodcenter.org.
Manager, Mobile Operations – DS010. Responsible
for providing managerial direction for the Donor Services area of mobile operations. Will ensure the
collection of safe, pure, and potent blood products at all
Mobile Operations locations. Responsible for monitoring department performance and ensuring all Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) are followed. Provides
direct supervision to supervisors, mobile operations.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Three years relevant
management experience required. cGMP/regulated
biologics manufacturing, blood bank (whole blood and
automated collections), plasma center, or dialysis experience preferred. Three years driving experience with
good driving record required. Laboratory, Nursing or
Health Profession credentialing strongly preferred. Visit
our website at www.biobridgeglobal.org. E-mail résumé
to [email protected]. Call Human Resources (210) 757-9557. BioBridge Global and its
subsidiaries are proud to be an EEO/AAM/F/D/V/Genetic Data employer that maintains a Tobacco & Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants
will receive consideration for employment without
(continued on page 16)
ABC Newsletter
-16-
POSITIONS (continued from page 15)
regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national
origin, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other
legally protected status.
Mobile Supervisor (Blood Bank of Hawaii). If you
have proven supervisory skills, possess exceptional
customer service, and the ability to work alongside with
the team, please read on. Our mobile supervisor will be
responsible for the overall supervision of the mobile
collection team ensuring the collection operations are in
compliance with internal SOPs and external regulations.
This position will collaborate through interaction and
communication with other departments to ensure policies and procedures are in place to optimize the quality
and integrity of the blood supply and donor safety. This
“lead from the front” position will be quality driven,
customer service focused, and have the ability to remain
flexible in times of need. The mobile supervisor will be
responsible for onsite as well as offsite supervision of
blood drives on all the Hawaiian islands so travel is
necessary. A current, valid driver’s license is required
for this position. If you have supervisory experience in a
healthcare-related field, able to lead by example, a team
player, and available to work flexible hours including
evenings, weekends, and holidays please apply online at
www.BBH.org.
Center Manager (Lake Charles, La.). LifeShare
Blood Centers is currently seeking an individual to fill a
key leadership position within our organization. The
center manager is accountable for operational objectives
and will ensure the strategic plan is met. The position
tracks and trends key performance indicators, quality
metrics and financials and takes appropriate action to
ensure the business viability. Bachelor’s degree in applied sciences or business required with MBA preferred.
Demonstrated success of execution of strategic objectives in challenging and highly regulated environment.
March 19, 2015
Ten years of progressive managerial experience required
with experience managing donor recruitment and donor
services a plus. LifeShare has been a part of the community since 1942, providing local hospitals and our
employees with great benefits. To apply, please visit:
www.lifeshare.org under the careers tab. LifeShare
Blood Centers is proud to be an EEO/AAP –
M/F/D/V/Genetic Data employer that maintains a Tobacco and Drug Free Workplace. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration without regards to
race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin,
disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally
protected status.
Center Manager (Beaumont, Texas). LifeShare Blood
Centers is currently seeking an individual to fill a key
leadership position within our organization. The center
manager is accountable for operational objectives and
will ensure the strategic plan is met. The position tracks
and trends key performance indicators, quality metrics
and financials, and takes appropriate action to ensure
the business viability. Bachelor’s degree in applied
sciences or business required with MBA preferred.
Demonstrated success of execution of strategic objectives in challenging and highly regulated environment.
Ten years of progressive managerial experience required
with experience managing donor recruitment and donor
services a plus. LifeShare has been a part of the community since 1942, providing local hospitals and our
employees with great benefits. To apply, please visit:
www.lifeshare.org under the careers tab. LifeShare
Blood Centers is proud to be an EEO/AAP –
M/F/D/V/Genetic Data employer that maintains a Tobacco and Drug Free Workplace. All qualified
applicants will receive consideration without regards to
race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin,
disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally
protected status. 
CALENDAR
Note to subscribers: Submissions for a free listing in this calendar (published in the last issue of each month) are
welcome. Send information to Leslie Norwood by e-mail ([email protected]) or by fax to (202) 3935527. (For a more detailed announcement in the weekly “Meetings” section of the Newsletter, please include program information.)
2015
March 25-26. NHLBI State of Science Meeting in
Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine, Bethesda,
Md. More information and registration details can be
found at http://bit.ly/1tnjB8y. Contact: Simone Glynn,
MD, MPH: [email protected].
April 19-20. 13th Annual National Blood Foundation Leadership Forum, Washington, D.C. For
more details, registration information, and an agenda
visit: http://bit.ly/1F8IfDA.
April 22-24. ADRP Annual Conference, Denver,
Colo.
More
information
available
at
www.adrp.org/conference.
(continued on page 17)
ABC Newsletter
-17-
March 19, 2015
CALENDAR (continued from page 16)
Pa. Contact: ABC Meetings Dept. Phone: (202) 6542901; e-mail: [email protected].
May 5-7. Technical, Collections, & Quality Workshops, America’s Blood Centers, Orlando, Fla.
Contact: ABC Meetings Dept. Phone (202) 654-2901; email: [email protected].
Sept. 16-17. Financial Management Workshop,
America’s Blood Centers, Chicago, Ill. Contact: ABC
Meetings Dept. Phone: (202) 654-2901; e-mail:
[email protected].
May 20-21. 22nd International Workshop on “Surveillance and Screening of Blood Borne Pathogens,”
Prague, Czech Republic. More information about the
workshop can be found at http://bit.ly/1tnjXfe. Contact:
Mariska Mooijekind: [email protected].
Sept. 28-29. 2nd Global Symposium on “The Future
for Blood and Plasma Donations,” Dallas, Texas.
Contact: e-mail: [email protected]. More information available here.
June 16-19. Fund Development, Communications, &
Donor Management Workshop, America’s Blood
Centers, Chattanooga, Tenn. Contact: ABC Meetings
Dept.
Phone
(202)
654-2901;
e-mail:
[email protected].
Aug. 4-6. Summer Meeting & Medical Directors
Workshop, America’s Blood Centers, Philadelphia,
Dec. 1-2. IPFA Workshop on Improving Access to
Plasma and Plasma Products in the Southern Africa
Region, Stellenbosch (Cape Town), South Africa.
Contact: e-mail: [email protected]. More information available here. 