James P. Crowley: Drs. Blumberg and Heal Win SABM Sazama Award for Transfusion Research
James P. Crowley, Professor of Medicine emeritus at Brown University, shared Donna Morelli‘s post on LinkedIn:
“Together, Dr. Neil Blumberg and Dr. Joanna Heal have conducted landmark research redefining the immunologic effects of ABO-identical transfusions.
Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management (SABM) is the leading international organization of professionals working in the field of transfusion medicine.
Each year the SABM’s Kathleen J. Sazama Award is presented to esteemed members of the Patient Blood Management community.
The recipients have merited the award by
Exemplifying the high standards and qualities set by the award’s esteemed namesake.
Demonstrating commitment to patient rights, autonomy, and informed choice and strength of character to lead with progressive evidence based thinking, even if contrary to popular belief.
They both have selflessly served with the well-being of the patient as the ultimate goal consistent their dedication to progress in the field of patient blood management
Their research work revealed that ABH-incompatible platelet transfusions generate large immune complexes that attach to platelets and trigger refractoriness, a mechanism previously unrecognized.
By combining leukoreduction, ABO-identical transfusions, and washing techniques, They decreased platelet refractoriness a leading factor in limiting chemotherapy, to nearly zero at Strong Memorial Hospital.
As a consequence their removal one of the major obstacles to effective treatment of leukemia reduced five-year mortality in young leukemia patients from 50% to 20%.
Their evidence-based strategies have also minimized transfusion reactions, lung injury or TRALI, TACO, alloimmunization, and thrombotic complications, thus establishing a new standard for safe and effective transfusion practice.”
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