Please note: AABB reserves the right to make updates to this program.
Wednesday, April 28, 2027
2:00 – 3:00 PM Eastern Time
Program Number: 27EL-728
Director/Moderator: Ifeyinwa Maryann Okafor, Professor of Haematology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
Speaker: Moritz Stolla, MD, PhD, Director of Platelet Transfusion Research, Bloodworks Northwest; Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Conventional platelet storage at room temperature poses logistical challenges, including a short shelf-life (5–7 days) and risk of bacterial contamination. Cold stored platelets offer extended storage (up to 14–21 days) and potentially enhanced hemostatic function, yet many transfusion professionals remain uncertain about their science, regulatory status, and practical implementation.
This eCast is designed for laboratory professionals, physicians, and transfusion medicine leaders. Using a combination of didactic presentations, case-based scenarios, and moderated discussion, faculty will explore the scientific rationale, current evidence, and regulatory landscape for cold stored platelets. Attendees will examine real-world implementation challenges through clinical cases involving trauma, massive transfusion, and surgical bleeding. The program will conclude with an interactive Q&A session to address audience questions. By bridging laboratory science and clinical application, this activity aims to equip the healthcare team with the knowledge needed to evaluate and potentially adopt cold stored platelets within their institutions.
After participating in this educational activity, participants should be able to:
Registration includes access to both the live and on-demand version of this eCast.
If you are a facility interested in participating in this eCast, simply complete the Group Viewing registration form and AABB will provide detailed instructions to share with your team approximately one week prior to the live program (each team member to register for the program utilizing a promocode). For single viewers, simply click on the Register button below to register.
Please note: registration for the live eCast will close 1 hour prior to the eCast start time. If you register after this time, you will receive access to the on-demand eCast when it is available.
| Single Viewer | Register |
| Group Viewing | Register |
This activity is eligible for one (1.0) continuing education credit/contact hour for Physicians, California Nurses, California Lab Personnel, Florida Lab Personnel and General Participation credit. AABB reserves the right to reduce or increase the number of credits granted based on the final activity duration. For more information on each credit type please visit our Continuing Education Credits webpage.
There is no financial support for this activity.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB), which is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians (ACCME): AABB designates this live activity for a maximum of one (1.0) AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. AABB designates this enduring activity for a maximum of one (1.0) AMA PRA Category 1 CreditTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Claiming Credit
Live Activity - Upon completion of the live activity, you will receive instructions to complete your evaluation, which is necessary to claim credit and receive your certificate of attendance/completion (credit must be claimed by the date provided in the instructions). The evaluation can be found by logging into the AABB Education Platform.
Enduring Activity - Once the enduring (on-demand) program is available, you will receive instructions to access the AABB Education Platform. Upon completion of viewing the enduring activity, you will need to complete the evaluation, which is necessary to claim credit and receive your certificate of completion (credit must be claimed by the date provided in the AABB Education Platform).
Program & Credit Expiration Dates:
Disclosure Declaration
It is the policy of the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of its CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. AABB has evaluated, identified, and mitigated any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that the presence of such relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.
Disclosures for the planners of this event can be found here. Disclosures for the program faculty, peer reviewers, and AABB personnel are provided at the beginning of the program.
Dr. Ifeyinwa M. Okafor is a Professor of Hematology in the Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Science, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Nigeria. She is a Medical Laboratory Scientist by profession, with specialization in Hematology and Blood Transfusion Science. She holds a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS), as well as MSc and PhD degrees, all in Hematology. She began her career at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, where she worked for six years as a Senior Medical Laboratory Scientist before transitioning into academia as a full-time faculty member at the University of Calabar. She is currently on contract service at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali.
Dr. Okafor has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles in reputable international journals and has actively participated in numerous international conferences. Her research interest includes nutritional anemia, hematology oncology, haemoglobinopathies and immunohematology. Her research excellence has been recognized with several grants and awards, including the AABB Foundation grant, Princess of Wales International Bursary Award by the British Blood Transfusion Society, as well as travel grants from BSH and ISTH. She has also served as the Head of the Department of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Science at the University of Calabar, Faculty Postgraduate Representative, and a member of the Postgraduate Business Committee. Dr Okafor is actively engaged in the academic and professional community, including AABB, and is passionate about learning, teaching, and research. She values opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, share knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to her field.
Dr. Moritz Stolla's scientific background encompasses platelet biology, transfusion medicine and thrombosis/hemostasis. After studying medicine at the University of Munich and completing his PhD at the Technical University of Munich, he undertook his specialist training as a clinical pathologist, including further training in transfusion medicine at Harvard University in Boston. With his research group in Seattle at the University of Washington and Bloodworks Northwest, he investigates the biology of platelet storage, including its effects on thrombosis and hemostasis in mouse models and in humans. One of his research interests is understanding the biology of platelets exposed to cold temperatures. His long-term goal is to improve platelet storage. He has received awards from the AABB Foundation, the American Society of Hematology and the American Heart Association. His research is supported by the US Armed Forces and the National Institutes of Health. He is among the leading researchers in basic, translational and clinical transfusion medicine relating to platelets.
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