Presidents' Note: 2016 LookBack
Miguel Lozano, ESFH President.
During 2016, the European Society for Hemapheresis (ESFH) has continued working for the improvement of apheresis practice and supporting apheresis related educational activities around Europe.
ESFH participated actively in the XVI joint meeting of World Apheresis Association and the French Society for Hemapheresis held in Paris between 27 and 29 of April 2016. (see beow)Not only had the members of the ESFH Board of Directors delivered some of the lectures but also the Secretary of the Society, Prof. Paul Höcker, received the WAA Cohn-de Laval award as recognition of his long standing dedication and commitment to the field of the apheresis. During the meeting ESFH held the General Assembly.
ESFH also offered scientific patronage to a symposium organized by Prof. Luca Pierelli and Prof. Alberto Bosi of the Università degli Studi di Torino, Italy about the hematopoietic stem cell collection and extracorporeal photochemotherapy.
ESFH is currently working in the organization of the ESFH bi-annual meeting in Valencia, in June 2018. We really hope that the scientific content of the meeting, the fine congress venue and the cultural, natural and built attractions that the city of Valencia offer, will contribute to the success of the meeting.
Last year, the web of the ESFH was changed; updating the content to allow the access from hand held devices and improved aspects related with the security of the software.
International Joint Congress, Paris, France, April 27-29, 2016
The last international joint congress held by the World Apheresis Association and the French Society for Hemapheresis assisted by the European Society for Hemapheresis took place in the historical ambience of the medical faculty in Paris. The scientific program was excellent collocated, addressed scientific affairs as well as daily routine. The bridge was built from the donor to the patient, from the preparative to the therapeutic apheresis. Donor and blood safety are still a must in transfusion medicine. This take home massage was excellent communicated in the donor and pathogen inactivation sessions. On the other hand patients are the targets of all the efforts. Improved rules and standards for cellular therapy collections as well as new insights in therapeutic challenges were satisfactorily discussed in the variety of informative therapeutic sessions.
The Highlight of this meeting was the award ceremony for, the secretary of the European Society. 
He received the WAA Cohn de Laval award as recognition of his long standing dedication and commitment to the field of the apheresis. The Cohn de Laval Award is the WAA’s most prestigious award, designed to recognize individuals who have made major contributions to the discipline of apheresis. The award, a bronze-cast engrave medal, is presented at the WAA Congress by the WAA President. The awardee is invited to present a special lecture at the Congress.