qualifies for a bone marrow transplant ( the only cure for alpha thalassemia ). She will continue to need transfusions for life and currently receives them at Kaiser San Diego every 3 weeks .
“ Kaiser-Permanente is very pleased with San Diego Blood Bank ’ s Precision Blood Program and sees much benefit to our patients in the expansion of Precision Blood practices - providing them the most compatible blood . Since the start of Precision Blood and genotyping , our patients have been tested and received genotype compatible blood . The main use of genotyping is in our Heme-Onc patients , pediatric patients with thalassemia and sickle cell disease , and those with multiple alloantibodies .
Ella
Due to this technology at San Diego Blood Bank , rapid turnaround time , and relatively low cost , we have implemented a policy to genotype all sickle cell disease and thalassemia children and provide them with genotype compatible blood . There is tremendous return in the reduction in morbidity and mortality over the patient ’ s life span ,” Majid Ghassemi , MD , Chief of Service , Pathology , Medical Director of Laboratories , Kaiser-Permanente shared with GB Magazine .
“ Through next-generation sequencing , identifying rare donors , and supporting our hospital-based transfusion services , we expect to attract national and international interest in our state-of-the-art Immunohematology Reference Laboratory services - transforming the field of transfusion medicine while further establishing San Diego Blood Bank as a center of excellence ,” added Mark Edmunds , MD , Chief Medical Officer , San Diego Blood Bank .
DNA sequencing analysis of blood type
Financial donors are also at the heart of San Diego Blood Bank ’ s mission - ensuring the critical resources needed to expand its impact . San Diego Blood Bank is thrilled to announce that The Conrad Prebys Foundation awarded a $ 725,825 grant to provide innovative technology and precision blood testing support . Their grant will significantly increase the capacity to expand San Diego Blood Bank ’ s inventory of rare blood and precisely match blood transfusions .
the health of thousands of patients every year .
With The Conrad Prebys Foundation ’ s partnership and the support of blood and financial donors , San Diego Blood Bank saves and advances
For more information on ways to give or partner with San Diego Blood Bank , please contact Sherry Serio , Vice President of Development at ( 619 ) 400-8188 .
www . sdbb . org
JULY 2022 | GBSAN . COM 69