The European Blood Alliance (EBA) in collaboration with the ISBT Working Party on Rare Donors, is organising an online workshop on Rare Blood Provision on 4, 12 and 17 February 2021.

About the workshop

Blood establishments may face difficulties in the provision of rare blood, this can be due to antibodies against blood group antigens with a high frequency or multiple antibodies against more common antigens. The provision of rare blood is a concern to the whole chain of transfusion, from donor recruitment to clinical application.

The goal of the workshop is to share information and discuss good practices for blood establishments to improve the provision of rare blood.

The EBA Rare Blood Provision Workshop is comprised of 3 sessions:

1. Donor Management – 4th February 2021, 14:00 -17:30 CET
2. Blood Group Typing – 12th February 2021, 14:00 -17:30 CET
3. Inventory and Logistics – 17 February 2021, 14:00 -17:30 CET

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Registration

This is a closed workshop, only EBA members and members of the ISBT WP on Rare Donors can attend.

Each session requires a separate registration but you may attend as many sessions as you wish.

Registrations are limited so be sure to secure your place by registering no later than 31st January 2021. 

1. Donor Management – 4th February 2021, 14:00 CET

This session will cover the management of donors with rare blood types – recruitment, retention and information. It will highlight the challenges associated with the provision of rare blood to meet patient demand in different countries. The session will pay particular attention to patients who need multiple, regular transfusions, such as those with sickle cell disease.

Who should attend: anyone involved in the sourcing and supply of rare blood.  Colleagues involved in contacting donors with rare blood types.

2. Blood Group Typing – 12th February 2021, 14:00 CET

This session will explore several aspects regarding testing to find rare donors.  We will discuss the challenges involved when implementing and optimising testing strategies and share experiences to facilitate shared learning.

Who should attend: Scientists and technical laboratory staff involved in red cell antigen testing and  individuals responsible for and involved in delivering, or looking to implement, a screening program to find rare donors.

REGISTER HERE

3. Inventory and Logistics – 17th February 2021, 14:00 CET

Session 3 will look at current practice and developments in frozen blood banking, with a focus on inventory management and component development. This session will also explore possible ways of networking within the frozen blood bank community, and of sharing experience and information.
Who should attend: This workshop is suitable for clinical and scientific and technical laboratory staff involved with the provision of rare blood, especially rare frozen blood.

REGISTER HERE

For any questions about this workshop, please don’t hesitate to contact EBA Office.