AABB, Canadian Blood Services Announce Partnership to Help US Blood Collectors Prepare for Individual Risk Assessment

The AABB Board of Directors is pleased to announce a new partnership between AABB and Canadian Blood Services that will help blood collectors in the United States plan for the upcoming transition to individual risk assessment for determining blood donor eligibility.

Canadian Blood Services implemented individual risk assessment to determine blood donor eligibility last year. In the months leading up to this change, the organization prepared donors, staff and other stakeholders, including engaging with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations, to plan how to communicate these changes and build relationships.

AABB believes that blood collectors in the U.S. must have proper resources to ensure a successful transition to individual risk assessment. These resources should make changes in donor screening simple for both facility staff and donors.

By partnering with Canadian Blood Services, AABB seeks to learn from Canada’s experience to approach this transition in from an informed starting point. As this partnership begins, AABB invites members of the community to share what resources would be valuable as the new guidance is finalized by completing a brief feedback survey.