Meet Our Volunteers

Volunteer Spotlight and Member Highlights

Exciting news! AABB’s Professional Engagement Program will be showcasing all of the great work our members do for AABB and the world at large.

Our PEP Volunteer Spotlight will consist of a short Q&A with one of our members published each month in AABB News. Our members play an integral role here at AABB and we want to share their accomplishments.

Member Highlights can be any volunteer accomplishment directly involved with AABB and will change as new highlights are added. These highlights may range from publications, committee work, webinars and everything in between!

We are currently soliciting names of individuals to showcase for the coming year in either our Volunteer Spotlight or a Member Highlight capacities. If you or a fellow AABB member are interested, please email us at PEP@aabb.org.

AABB Volunteer Spotlight on Keán Thompson

Manager, Blood bank and Processing laboratories, Worcester, Western Cape Blood Services

How long have you been an AABB member?

Since 2024.

In which AABB volunteer activities are you currently active? In which have you participated?

As a new member, I have had the opportunity to be part of the mentoring program since the beginning of 2025.

What motivates you to volunteer?

In blood transfusion there are always new developments. Being able to share those with others and to learn from others helps all involved to grow and develop themselves. By developing ourselves we can give the optimal blood and blood products to our patients when and where they need it.

How has your volunteer work impacted your professional work?

While in the mentoring program, I realized that we can always learn from each other. No matter how small, each one of us has unique experiences and knowledge to share. That opportunity to share may seem trivial but it can be significant to somebody else.

What have you learned from volunteering with AABB? And what advice would you give to someone interested in volunteering?

That working in complex environments can be challenging but with the right strategy and culture anything is possible. My advice would be to give it a shot! Even if you don't think you can just start. It can be tremendously fulfilling to participate, help others grow and give back.

What is your favorite vacation destination?

Knysna, a small coastal town in the Western Cape, South Africa.