About ESFH

Mission

The mission of ESFH is to advance knowledge in apheresis techniques through education, to consolidate and spread proven methods, and to open new paths in the collection of blood cells and treatment of diseases by apheresis.

Purposes

  • 1

    Function as a European Society for all professionals involved and interested in apheresis.

  • 2

    Make a safe and adequate hemapheresis technique for the collection or removal of blood components available to donors and patients in blood banks, hospitals and other institutions.

  • 3

    Establish safe and efficient hemotherapy with blood components and alternatives.

  • 4

    Encourage, advance and certify high standards of administrative and technical performance in the field of hemapheresis to apheresis units in blood banks, hospitals and other institutions.

  • 5

    Foster scientific investigation, clinical application and exchanges of information and ideas, relating to hemapheresis, hemotherapy and allied fields in clinical and laboratory medicine.

  • 6

    Educate nurses, technicians and physicians in the field of hemapheresis:

  • 7

    All other purposes which benefit safe and adequate hemapheresis and hemotherapy practice in patient or donor care.

  • 8

    Cooperation with other related National and International scientific organisations in the field of hemapheresis.

  • 9

    Cooperation with the European authorities in the field of hemapheresis.

  • 10

    Organisation of scientific and educational meetings in the field of hemapheresis.

  • 11

    Development and publication of guidelines and recommendations in the field of hemapheresis.

The Board

  • Prof. Gerda Leitner, MD

    ESFH President

    Specialist for transfusion medicine and general medicine

    Austrian Red Cross

    Vienna, Austria

  • Ingrid de Beer-Wekking

    ESFH President Elect

    Hematology, Apheresis Department

    University Medical Centre

    Leiden, The Netherlands

  • Silvia Monsalvo, MD

    ESFH Treasurer

    Transfusion, Apheresis and Non-Transfusional Hemotherapy Unit (UHNT) Hematology

    Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda

    Madrid, Spain

  • Prof. Miquel Lozano, MD, PhD

    ESFH Past President

    Department of Hemotherapy and Hemostasis

    Clinic University Hospital

    Barcelona, Spain

  • Hans Vrielink, MD, PhD

    ESFH Secretary

    Consultant Transfusion Medicine and Apheresis Specialist

    Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Marleen Neyrinck

    ESFH Allied Health Professionals Representative

    Belgium

History

  • 1984

    The European Society for Hemapheresis (ESFH) is founded in Besançon, France, with the aim of uniting European physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals working in hemapheresis. The society's vision is to improve donor and patient care. One of the founding pioneers is Helmut Borberg (1934–2013) from Cologne. He is one of the last grand figures of apheresis, dedicating his work from the early stages to advancing this technique in order to benefit patients and improve their outcomes.

  • 2015

    A second nurse course organized by the ESFH is held under the responsibility of H. Vrielink, MD and ESFH Past President, and Ingrid de Beer, RN. The purpose of this course is not only to improve the knowledge and skills of operators, but also to establish a team of nurses who are qualified enough to conduct such courses and webinars in their countries with the support of the ESFH. A comprehensive overview is provided, covering not only the basics of apheresis but also the newest developments in the field. Handouts and a booklet (Principles of Apheresis Technology) are distributed to participants. Attendees come from Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA.

  • 2016

    The WAA/SFH International Joint Congress takes place in Paris, France. The highlight of this meeting is the award ceremony for the secretary of the European Society, Prof. Paul Höcker. He receives the WAA Cohn de Laval Award in recognition of his longstanding dedication and commitment to the field of 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 is named after the scientists Edwin Cohn and Carl Gustaf Patrik de Laval, whose work significantly influenced the development of apheresis technology.

Bylaws

AttachmentBylaws.pdf