Celebrating National Blood Donor Month

As we begin a new year, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you all. From strengthening global partnerships to developing essential resources for the blood and biotherapies community, our Association achieved significant milestones in 2025. I am excited and energized about the opportunities and progress that lie ahead in 2026.

January marks National Blood Donor Month, an observance held since 1970 to recognize the generosity of voluntary blood donors and to encourage donation during a time when the need is often greatest. While we pause each January to honor donors, their courage and generosity deserve recognition year-round. Our community is deeply grateful to the individuals who selflessly donate blood, helping patients receive life-saving procedures and treatments that improve and extend lives. Their continued commitment to supporting their communities through blood donation makes us proud. As a donor myself, I feel privileged to be part of this remarkable group. I also extend my gratitude to the outstanding professionals who work every day to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply and who remain steadfast in advancing donor and patient safety.

In recognition of National Blood Donor Month, this issue of AABB News highlights timely strategies and perspectives focused on donor recruitment, retention and advancing diversity across the donor base. Our first feature explores adaptive recruitment strategies critical to expanding the diversity of the donor pool. The second feature spotlights new research demonstrating that individual donor assessment (IDA) is not associated with increased risk to the blood supply, reinforcing confidence in evidence-based donor screening practices. The donor story featured in this issue highlights a blood donor who became a recipient, highlighting the full-circle impact of donation and serving as a reminder of the meaningful work taking place across our field every day.

This issue also broadens the conversation around blood donation with an article featuring Ron Jacob of NMDP (formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program) that focuses on closing the gap in blood stem cell donation. In addition, we are pleased to debut “The Ethical Pulse,” a new column that examines the ethical tensions shaping transfusion medicine and biotherapies.

I hope this issue inspires you as we continue working together to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and our communities worldwide.

Jose Cancelas, MD, PhD, CABP
AABB President