The 38^th International ISBT Congress took place in Barcelona, Spain from June 23 to 27, 2024. Co-hosted by the ISBT and SETS (Spanish Society of Blood Transfusion and Cellular Therapy) , the event had brought together over 3,000 transfusion medicine professionals from 115 countries and regions worldwide. The congress featured 56 scientific meetings and 9 seminars, and was attended by a total of 84 exhibiting companies.

During the congress, the cooperation agreement between CSBT and ISBT was renewed. Besides, an exhibiting booth was established by CSBT at the congress to promote the accomplishments of blood transfusion industry in China.

CSBT & ISBT Cooperation Agreement Renewed

Signing Ceremony

On the afternoon of June 24, 2024 local time, the annual working meeting of CSBT and ISBT was convened in Barcelona, and a new five-year cooperation agreement was signed. The attendees of the signing ceremony included board members from both sides and prominent figures. The attendees are as follows:

l ZHU Yongming, President of CSBT; LIU Jiaxin, CSBT Vice President; LV Hangjun, Chair of the Supervisory Committee; HU Wei, XIA Rong; LIANG Huaxin, Standing Council members; Zhai Qing from CSBT Administration Department;

l Michael Busch, ISBT Past President; Pierre Tiberghien, ISBT President; Jill Storry, ISBT Vice President; Erica Wood, Past President; Gwen Clarke, Secretary General; Eric Jansen, ISBT Treasurer and Jenny White, ISBT Executive.

Signing Moment

CSBT and ISBT have established a longstanding tradition of communication and cooperation.

In 2019, a cooperative agreement had been signed in Basel, Switzerland. Both sides agreed upon a shared mission, leveraging their respective strengths and resources in accordance with the principle of concerted endeavors:

l To hold at least one annual in-person or on-line working meeting for the purpose of exchanges and communications.

l To offer each other free booths at their respective blood transfusion congress.

l ISBT agreed to offer branch memberships to CSBT, while CSBT, in turn, to recommend Chinese expertise to ISBT.

l To enhance cooperation in exchange, education and training.

The meeting reviewed the cooperation between the two societies over the past 5 years and expressed satisfaction with the achievements. Additionally, at the upcoming 12^th National Congress of CSBT in Hefei, Anhui Province this September, an ISBT Satellite Session, fully funded by ISBT, will be held. Both sides discussed the detailed arrangements for the session.

Both sides have expressed their intention to further facilitate comprehensive communication and cooperation among the respective organizations, branches, and member institutes of both sides.

President ZHU Yongming and President Michael Busch exchanged congratulations.

After the signing, both sides engaged in a comprehensive dialogue, not only exploring the latest industry developments but also exchanging perspectives on domestic and international advancements. This agreement has not only enhanced mutual understanding but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.

Group photo of participants

CSBT Showcased at the 38^th International ISBT Congress

CSBT also established an exclusive exhibition area at the conference, marking its third appearance after the 2019 regional congress in Bangkok and the 2023 regional congress in Cape Town, and its inaugural exhibition at ISBT global congress. Ms. ZHAI Qing, the Director of the CSBT Administration Department, was in charge of the promotion and guiding of the exhibition area.

President ZHU Yongming, Vice President LIU Jiaxin, Chair LV Hangjun, Standing Council members HU Wei, XIA Rong and LIANG Huaxin, visited the booth of CSBT.

ISBT Executive Ms. Jenny White at the booth of CSBT

During the congress, President ZHU Yongming and his delegation, accompanied by Dr. Anna Millan, the director of the Blood Center, made a visit to the Barcelona Blood Center.

Source: CSBT Secretariat;

Translated by ZHU Shanshan;

Reviewed by JIANG Nizhen.

World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is celebrated throughout the world on June 14^th. At 8 p.m. on WBDD of this year, the light show jointly hosted by CSBT, CCTV new media platform, and Shenzhen Sharing Network Co., Ltd. was live-streamed on the CCTV channel and the WeChat Cloud channel of CSBT.

Firstly, President ZHU Yongming expressed his highest respect and festival greetings to all blood donors and volunteers who have contributed to the noble cause of blood donation. He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to CCTV new media platform and to all the cities, governments and blood establishments that participated in tonight's light show activities. 

A series of posters for the WBDD released by the WHO and activities organized by the National Health Commission were displayed on line, followed by videos from CSBT member units and individuals who had been awarded the 2020-2021 national voluntary blood donation commendation.

Subsequently, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, expressed gratitude to all blood donors, past and present, as well as medical workers, blood establishment practitioners and civilian partners who continually support blood donation services, through a recorded congratulatory video.

During the three-hour live stream, the video channel garnered 66,000 viewers, while WeChat Live recorded 366,000 views, accompanied by over 100,000 thumbs-up, nearly 10,000 shares, and more than 4,000 active participants engaging in interactive comments.

A total of 63 units from 56 cities in 20 provinces attended the campaign. Among them, 54 cities displayed light shows. The live light show saluted blood donors, expressing gratitude for their contribution to upholding the humanitarian spirit of saving lives, which ensures the safe supply of clinical blood, and illuminates the light of life through their compassionate actions.

Source: CSBT Secretariat 

Translated by XIAO Hanxianzhi    

Reviewed by MA Ling, JIANG Nizhen

On the occasion of World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on June 14^th, the secretariat responds to the theme and slogan of the WBDD by participating in blood donation, spreading the concept of health and happiness, and making a contribution to social public welfare.

As a constituent of the blood transfusion industry, the CSBT Secretariat holds blood donation events every year. The pursuit of sharing health and aiding patients inspires every staff member of the secretariat to be a participant and advocate for blood donation.

Author: CSBT Secretariat

Translated by XIAO Hanxianzhi 

Reviewed by MA Ling, JIANG Nizhen

On May 18^th, Shanghai Disneytown initiated a blood donation campaign named Life Delivery, aiming to send hope to patients in urgent need of blood treatment. This event  was jointly hosted by Shanghai Blood Center and Shanghai Disney Resort.

During the event, the bloodmobile entered Disneytown has attracted numerous tourists and residents. Under the joint appeal of local and foreign volunteers, Disney staff, tourists along with other caring individuals came to participate in blood donation, delivering life and love. In addition, volunteers patiently explained the donation process and precautions to each donor to ensure the safety and smoothness of the donation.

Date：2024-05-22; 

Source：Shanghai Blood Center;

Translated by FENG Yasong;

Reviewed by ZHU Shanshan, JIANG Nizhen;

On May 9, the 2024 Annual Conference of Clinical Blood Transfusion was held in Chongqing. Members of Working Party on Clinical Transfusion (CSBT/T), experts and over 400 delegates from 29 regions convened to deliberate on the development and future of clinical blood transfusion. President ZHU Yongming attended the meeting and delivered a speech.

The Annual Conference of Clinical Blood Transfusion, initiated and organized by CSBT/T,  has become a well-recognized educational project, under the leadership of Professor HU Lihua, the vice-president of CSBT and former chair of CSBT/T. It is one of the most preeminent platforms for professional exchange in the field of clinical blood transfusion in China, playing a pivotal role in enhancing blood safety and prompting advancements in the field of blood transfusion. The success of this conference demonstrates the capability of the new CSBT/T chairs and members in guiding the safe and rational use of blood in clinical institutions, while promoting the coordinated development of blood safety nationwide.

A total of 17 distinguished industrial experts and scholars delivered on-site lectures, covering topics such as the latest progress in clinical blood safety and key management, coagulation management for rational blood use, scientific concept and advancements in blood utilization, promotion and management of rational blood use in surgery, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in blood transport, clinical blood management and quality control, plasma exchange combined with blood purification therapy.

Reported by CSBT Secretariat;

Translated by XIAO Hanxianzhi;

Reviewed by ZHU Shanshan, JIANG Nizhen.

On the morning of May 7, the opening ceremony of CSBT science education base on blood transfusion was launched in Yantai, Shandong province. President ZHU Yongming presented the awardand conferred the certificate of honor. DING Wenyi, chair of the Working Party on Blood Donation Mobilization (CSBT/BDM) and director of the Cooperation Group of CSBT Science Education Base, announced the naming decision for this new base.

Over the years, CSBT has been committed to science popularization of voluntary blood donation and has designated 12 domestic member institutions as partners in science education. Partnership Program is quite significant among a series of CSBT projects that serve the society and its members.Since 2018, the program has been keen on encouraging, assisting and promoting well-prepared members to disseminate knowledge on blood safety, blood transfusion history and exemplary figures among society and citizens through diverse means, thus creating a better atmosphere for voluntary blood donation.

Reported by Yantai Regional Blood Station;

Translated by XIAO Hanxianzhi;

Reviewed by ZHU Shanshan, JIANG Nizhen.

Under the guidance of CSBT, the national conference on platelet management and application undertaken by Ningbo Regional Blood Station was held on April 18^th. Co-hosted by the Working Party on Histocompatibility (CSBT/HLA) and the Working Party on Clinical Transfusion Management (CSBT/TM), Blood Center of Zhejiang Province and Zhejiang Society of Blood Transfusion, the conference aimed to reinforce the comprehensive communication and collaboration among domestic peers in recruitment of platelet donors, as well as in platelet collection, detection, gene-bank construction, electronic crossmatching, and other basic research and clinical applications. Three sub-forums were conducted, focusing respectively on new progresses in platelet sources, novel detecting technologies, and innovative strategies for platelet application. Around 400 representatives from domestic blood establishments, hospitals, universities and research institutions gathered to discuss future development of platelet transfusion.

At the conference, the booklet 100 Q&As on HLA garnered significant interest. Additionally, a multi-center program led by Blood Center of Zhejiang Province on Analysis of Platelet Antibody Specificity in Patients with Platelet Transfusion Refractoriness was signed by nine domestic blood centers. 

 Date: 2024-05-01；

Source: Blood Center of Zhejiang Province；

Translated by LIU Ziyu;

Reviewed by ZHU Shanshan, JIANG Nizhen.

On April 17, CSBT held the signing ceremony of partnership program on International Professional Information Exchange in Ningbo. ZHU Yongming, President of CSBT，and directors of blood centers from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, as well as relevant staff from the CSBT Secretariat and other project participants, attended the meeting.

Since 2020, CSBT has signed the Memorandum of Partnership with Jiangsu Blood Center, Shanghai Blood Center and Guangzhou Blood Center respectively. With the efforts of the three blood centers, CSBT has successfully carried out a number of co-construction projects, thus greatly enriching the English official website and the latest reports of international organizations.

President ZHU finally put forward several requirements. Firstly, the number of manuscripts should be improved. Professionals and project participants should track  the development of the international professional fields out of habit, while blood centers need to set goals for them and encourage them to translate and contribute more manuscripts. Secondly, we should focus on the quality of manuscripts. The content should be able to provide effective information to promote the development of the industry. Finally, talent cultivation should be strengthened, and translation work is an effective way to achieve this. Enhance the linguistic and professional competence of translators in the hope that they will be able to deliver speeches at international conferences in the future. Meanwhile, the CSBT secretariat will organize work exchange meetings regularly, thus promoting the exchange of work experience and mutual learning.

Translated by TANG Xinyi;

Reviewed by FENG Chenchen, JIANG Nizhen

Dear friends,

The 12^th National Congress of CSBT will be held in Hefei, Anhui from September 25 to 27, 2024. The congress will bring together leaders, experts, and colleagues nationwide to share and exchange the latest developments, experiences, achievements, and prospects in the fields of transfusion medicine and services.

The first National Congress was held by CSBT in 1990. Since 2010, the congress has been held every two years in several cities, including Beijing, Harbin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Wuhan, Xiamen, Chongqing, Tianjin (online), and Dalian (online), with eleven successful sessions. Over the years, leaders, experts, and colleagues in the blood transfusion industry have worked together to make this congress the most enduring academic event in the industry, with unparalleled academic influence, professional level, and attendance.

The first day of the 12^th Congress, September 25, is Academic Day, which is based on the practices of the ISBT.

The second and third days, September 26-27, are Theme Days, consisting of plenary sessions, parallel sessions, satellite sessions and poster exhibitions, etc.

In accordance with the cooperation agreement signed between CSBT and ISBT, ISBT will organize parallel sessions.

The congress will focus on the latest technological advancements and solutions in improving blood donation services, ensuring blood safety and promoting safe blood transfusion, both domestically and internationally.

Through the Seedling Program and the Hand in Hand Program, CSBT will continue to fully fund young professionals from remote, underdeveloped, and ethnic minority regions who are selected for oral communication, as well as representatives from these areas.

The Scientific Committee and Conference Organizing Committee will continue to recommend the units with the highest number of accepted submissions and participants. Both the Best Speakers and the Best units in Oral Communication will be voted by all participants.

In the golden autumn of September, we look forward to meeting you in Hefei.

ZHU, Yongming

President of CSBT

April 16^th, 2024

Translated by MAO Zhuang;    

Reviewed by MA Ling, JIANG Nizhen