For many people, the New Year brings a time of reflection: How can I better myself?
At ASBMT, we are constantly asking how to improve what we do and how we help those around the world in the field of cellular transplantation. Recently, we started focusing on our international partnerships, and much to our delight, it’s been well received.
It’s always so exciting to connect with our international partners. Each of us come from different cultural and political landscapes, and each of us approach the BBMT field in our own unique way. Being able to show the work we do on a daily basis, and learn from the work of others, only advances the entire community forward.
In November, we were invited to attend the 23rd Annual Congress of the Asia-Pacific Blood and Marrow Transplantation group. Held in Taiwan this year, it was a rousing success. Clinicians and researchers from around the world met to discuss so many aspects of the cellular therapy, ranging from clinical ethics and regulations to the future of different types of treatments.
ASBMT Board Member James Gajewski, MD, delivered the opening plenary session, “Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Where we have come from and where do we go?” Gajewski did a fantastic job representing not only the mission of ASBMT, but the work he’s helped pioneer in the US.
We also were invited to sit in on a joint symposium with APBMT, the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT), and the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT). Representatives from all four groups discussed the future of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, as well as issues facing the current field.
Late last year, we started a new partnership with APBMT which connects their members to the ASBMT community. Since its inception, more than 30 people have already signed up for the joint membership. It’s a great deal: those with joint membership get access to so many of ASBMT’s member benefits, including participation in SIGs and Committees, registration discounts and access to the BBMT Journal.
In the future, we hope to establish other joint memberships with groups around the world. The more we work together, the better we all become.
ASBMT President
John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD