A Global Community

Greetings, colleagues,

I am thrilled to share that registration for the 2025 Annual Meeting—taking place in San Diego from Oct. 25-28—will open earlier this year. This early opening is designed to provide attendees with more time to plan and budget for this year’s prestigious event. Member registration will open June 4, followed by general registration on June 11.

This year’s AABB Annual Meeting has much to offer and comes at a critical time for our community. With so much change in the world around us, the opportunity to recommit to our mission of creating and supporting lifesaving treatments and new cutting-edge therapies for our patients and donors has never been more important. Attendees can look forward to the field’s top education sessions, innovative research from all areas of the field of blood and biotherapies, an engaging Exhibit Hall, myriad networking opportunities, a celebration of excellence with the 2025 AABB Awards and much more. 

Global Partnerships

The theme of this issue highlights the growing advancements of blood and biotherapies across the Middle East—the region with the highest number of AABB-accredited facilities outside the United States, with 86 fully accredited prior to 2025. AABB is excited about the rapid advancement and growth in this region and remains committed to supporting its continued progress.

AABB is devoting additional resources to the Middle East to expand accreditation in the region and strengthen collaboration with Ministries of Health. Our long-lasting partnerships with international associations, including the Saudi Society of Transfusion Medicine, help us advance transfusion medicine practices and promote patient and donor safety worldwide.

The cover story in this issue explores the evolution of transfusion medicine in the Middle East, highlighting both the unique challenges the regions face and potential opportunities for innovation and growth. The second article spotlights Salwa Hindawi, MD, MSc, FRCPath, CTM, chief scientific officer of Saudi Society of Transfusion Medicine and president of Saudi Friends of Thalassemia & Sickle Cell Anemia Society, and her region’s initiatives to improve patient outcomes and donor strategies. In addition, this issue features the inspiring journey of thalassemia advocate Maria Hadjidemetriou and her global outreach efforts to drive change for the thalassemia community worldwide.

Save the Date

AABB will communicate more information about the 2025 Annual Meeting in the coming weeks. Whether you are a first-time attendee or a longtime attendee, there will be something at the Meeting for everyone in the exciting seaside city of San Diego. You won’t regret making the trip!

I hope many of you register and plan to attend this remarkable event. I look forward to seeing you there.