In Memoriam: Morris “Moe” Blajchman, MD, FRCPC

Morris “Moe” Blajchman, MD, FRCPC, a renowned transfusion medicine physician, researcher and educator, died on May 4. Blajchman was professor emeritus, Pathology and Molecular Medicine, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Blajchman completed his post-graduate training with the celebrated hematologist Sir John Dacie, FRS, before joining the faculty at McMaster University in 1970, where he would help to educate an entire generation of physicians in transfusion medicine and hemostasis. He also joined Canadian Blood Services (CBS), ultimately serving as medical director of the organization’s Southern Ontario centers. In 2009, Blajchman served as Chairman of the Transfusion Medicine and Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network (TMH CTN), which was founded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to advance knowledge and understanding in the field of transfusion medicine and hemostasis. A prolific investigator, Blajchman also published more than 370 articles and book chapters and was the founding editor of the journal Transfusion Medicine Reviews.

Blajchman received numerous accolades for his lifetime of service to the field, including AABB’s Emily Cooley Award and Lectureship, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Canadian Blood Services and the Foundation Lectureship for the Royal College of Pathologists.

“Dr. Blajchman was a major figure in transfusion medicine, while also being a complete iconoclast. He wore socks and sandals year around, had a penchant for striped shirts, and would regularly ask the most insightful questions of seminar speakers,” said AABB President Dana Devine, PhD. “He had a huge influence over Canadian transfusion medicine and in the establishment of the research and development program, initially at the Canadian Red Cross and, subsequently, providing guidance for the program at Canadian Blood Services.”