12th Annual Blood Collectors Week Underway

LAKE ZURICH, Ill. & BETHESDA, Md., September 3, 2017 – Blood collectors, the human connection between blood donors and the patients who count on blood for a multitude of medical conditions, are being honored during this year’s Blood Collectors Week for the lifesaving work they do each day.  This year’s Blood Collectors Week is September 3-9.

Blood Collectors Week was co-created and is sponsored by AABB, the global association for individuals and institutions in the fields of transfusion medicine, cellular therapies and patient blood management; and Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company that specializes in medicines and transfusion technologies.

“Blood Collectors Week honors the heroes whose hard work and dedication help keep the blood supply safe and adequate,” said Adrienne Fierro, AABB’s vice president of membership, meetings, communications and corporate affairs. “AABB is proud to co-sponsor this week highlighting the lifesaving mission of blood collection professionals, particularly as they helped replenish the blood supply in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.”

During Blood Collectors Week, more than 200 blood centers across the U.S. will host celebrations and tributes. Participating blood centers and donors are encouraged to submit a success story online (www.bloodcollectors.org) to highlight those who have gone above and beyond in supporting the nation’s blood supply or in creating a positive donor experience.

Health care professionals associated with blood collection include phlebotomists, apheresis operators, medical directors and donor recruiters.

“Together with AABB, we applaud the compassion, commitment, skill and dedication of professional blood collectors. We honor them this week for the incredible work they do year-round and during times of crisis,” said Dean Gregory, president, medical devices at Fresenius Kabi USA. “We are thankful to the blood collectors across the country who are providing donated blood to areas of need in Texas as the devastation from Hurricane Harvey continues."

Participants in Blood Collectors Week are encouraged to show their support for the week on social media by sharing pictures and using the hashtags #BloodCollectorsWeek and #SavingLives. Blood Collectors Week is on twitter @bloodcollectors.

Blood is an essential medicine, and blood transfusions are a critical component in the treatment of people with serious medical conditions, including patients with cancer, organ transplant recipients, and accident and trauma victims. Patients undergoing transfusions typically receive red blood cells, platelets or plasma and volunteer blood donors are the primary source of this blood supply.

To learn more about blood donation and finding a local blood collection site, visit www.aabb.org.

About AABB

AABB is an international, not-for-profit association representing individuals and institutions involved in the fields of transfusion medicine and cellular therapies. The association is committed to improving health through the development and delivery of standards, accreditation and educational programs that focus on optimizing patient and donor care and safety. AABB membership includes physicians, nurses, scientists, researchers, administrators, medical technologists and other health care providers. AABB members are located in more than 80 countries and AABB accredits institutions in more than 50 countries. Learn more about AABB at www.aabb.org.

About Fresenius Kabi

Fresenius Kabi (www.fresenius-kabi.com/us) is a global health care company that specializes in medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion and clinical nutrition. The company’s products and services are used to help care for critically and chronically ill patients.  In transfusion medicine, Fresenius Kabi offers the Fenwal family of transfusion technologies, including the Amicus separator and Alyx component collection system, the Aurora plasmapheresis system and Fenwal Blood Pack Units.  The company’s U.S. headquarters is in Lake Zurich, Illinois. The company’s global headquarters is in Bad Homburg, Germany. For more information about Fresenius Kabi worldwide, please visit www.fresenius-kabi.com.

Contact

Matt Kuhn
Fresenius Kabi
+1.847.550.5751
matt.kuhn@fresenius-kabi.com

Magda Yang
AABB
+1.301.215.6526
publicrelations@aabb.org