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.
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
Multi-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 […]
Continue ReadingHemoglobin-Based Oxygen Carriers – Are We There Yet?
Jahr and colleagues1 recently summarized the history of hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) to the present day, comparing biochemical and biophysical properties, safety concerns, and therapeutic potential as alternatives to packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions. HBOCs have been investigated for nearly a century as synthetic oxygen carriers in situations including the unavailability of rare antigen-negative […]
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