News and Announcements
Announcing the Launch of Empower Group O Care
The Red Cross is thrilled to introduce Empower Group O Care, an innovative initiative set to tackle one of the most pressing issues in transfusion medicine today – ensuring a sustainable and reliable supply of O negative Red Blood Cells. As an industry leader with extensive expertise in transfusion medicine, we are championing responsible stewardship practices of both O negative and O positive blood through ongoing educational events and supportive hospital resources, including toolkits and reference documents.
Empower Group O Care underscores our collective obligation to act now to ensure life-saving blood products are consistently available to those who need them most. Join us as we work together to better steward this vital blood supply and support improved patient outcomes.
Exploring the Future of Cell and Gene Therapy: An Interview with Martin Villapudua
In the latest edition of AABB’s CellSource newsletter, Christina M. Celluzzi, sits down with Martin Villapudua, the director of product development and implementation at the American Red Cross. Together, they delve into the evolving landscape of cell and gene therapy and the innovations shaping its future.
Read the full article to gain insights into the advancements and challenges in CGT, and discover how these developments are paving the way for new therapeutic possibilities.
Prepare Your LIS for New Platelet Product Codes
The American Red Cross is updating its platelet manufacturing process to increase efficiency and support a more sustainable blood supply. By early 2026, we will begin producing four platelet products from qualifying triple donations, an enhancement from the current standard of three.
To prepare for this upcoming change, hospitals will begin receiving the same platelet bags with an additional product code for the fourth unit. Please take action now by updating your Laboratory Information System (LIS) with the new product codes listed in the linked table.
A full list of product codes is available in the Hospital Partner Resource Guide (HPRG).
Advancing Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostics with American Red Cross Infectious Disease Blood Repository
The American Red Cross Infectious Disease Blood Repository (IDBR) is a curated collection of red cell and plasma samples confirmed positive for pathogens such as HIV, HCV, HBV, WNV, HTLV, Trypanosoma cruzi, Babesia spp., and syphilis. All specimens are screened using FDA-approved molecular and serologic assays, providing researchers and clinical laboratories with highly characterized materials to support diagnostic development, regulatory submissions, biomarker discovery, and technology validation.
As of July 1, IDBR samples are available for order through the Connect Order Management System, offering hospitals, academic institutions, and biotech companies access to verified positive specimens for assay validation, quality control, and research collaboration. Whether supporting translational studies or enhancing laboratory performance, the IDBR enables partners to work with confidence using well-documented, real-world specimens that meet rigorous quality standards. Learn more on our Infectious Disease Blood Repository webpage.
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Events
Adverse Reaction to Transfusion: Recognition and Management
Speaker: Kelly Kezeor, MLS(ASCP) American Red Cross
Date: July 10
Ongoing Research: MATIC2/LTOWB and CHIPS Trial/CSP
Speaker: Philip Spinella, MD, FCCM University of Pittsburgh
Date: July 17
O Blood Usage Trends in the Pediatric Population
Speaker: Kyle Annen, DO
Children’s Hospital of Colorado
Date: August 7
Media Messaging Toolkit
The American Red Cross welcomes participation of our hospital partners in the recruitment of blood donors, especially in times of critical shortages. For your convenience, we have made available prepared messaging and graphics that can be used to promote the need for blood donations.
Blood Supply Messaging Resource Guide
Inform and engage your staff and community about the need for refueling the blood supply through blood and platelet donations.
Blood Saves Lives: Helping People with Sickle Cell Disease
Inform and engage your staff and community about the need for diverse donors to help patients battling sickle cell disease.
PLUS Online
An Educational Resource for Transfusion Medicine
Does Pathogen Reduction Impair Platelet Function In Actively Bleeding Patients?
The initial FDA approval for pathogen-reduced (PR) platelets was supported by data from the SPRINT trial1,2 showing PR platelets to be noninferior to control platelets with respect to the incidence of bleeding after transfusion to thrombocytopenic patients; only about 16% of whom had clinically significant bleeding on study entry. Are PR platelets as effective as […]
Continue ReadingMulti-institution study of group O blood usage in the pediatric population between 2015 and 2019
Introduction Information and guidance for transfusion of pediatric and neonatal patients remained unchanged between the 2019 and 2025 versions of the AABB Association Bulletin “Recommendations on the Use of Group O Red Blood Cells.”1,2 The bulletin acknowledged the ease of using group O red blood cells (RBCs) for neonates since one RBC unit could provide […]
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