Academy
Chilean Congress of Transfusion Medicine 2026
María Antonieta Núñez
Diego Portales University & Blood Bank at Clínica Santa María, Chile
Mayling Chang Rathkamp
Chilean Society of Hematology, Chile
The Chilean Congress of Transfusion Medicine was held 7–9 May 2026 in Santiago, organized by the Chilean Chapter of Transfusion Medicine (CCHMT) of the Chilean Society of Hematology (SOCHIHEM), under the leadership of Mayling Chang. The programme focused on two pillars: strengthening patient safety through professional updating and fostering a diverse community in scientific exchange. The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) sponsored and funded the event, which was key to its international reach.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Chilean Chapter on Transfusion Medicine of the Chilean Society of Hematology, speakers, and conference attendees
Innovation in training and international reach
For the first time a pre-congress workshop on Blood Donation and Promotion was held for the entire blood service team (professionals, technicians and administrative staff). Participants included Silvina Kuperman and Lic. Ana Lucía Cabezas, regional leaders in altruistic donation promotion, and Ana Jara, coordinator of the Blood Network at the Chilean Ministry of Health.
Thanks to ISBT sponsorship, two full scholarships were awarded to young professionals, Dana De Antonio and Lina Castillo, both from Colombia, selected for projects to improve transfusion safety. The sponsorship also funded speakers from Spain, Brazil, Colombia and Argentina.
Danna de Antonio, a young professional from Bogotá, Colombia, received a scholarship to attend the Chilean Congress on Transfusion Medicine.
Lina Castillo, a young professional from Cali, Colombia, received a scholarship from the ISBT to attend the Chilean Congress on Transfusion Medicine.
Attendance and content
The congress brought together 232 professionals from Chile, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay and Spain. The programme covered immunohematology, transfusion and apheresis, cryopreservation, cell therapy, and blood donation and promotion.
Members of the Chilean Working Group on donors with uncommon phenotypes, led by María Antonieta Núñez, along with members of the Ibero-American Working Group on uncommon phenotypes and members of the ISBT Working Party on Rare Donors
In immunohematology, highlights included Lilian Castilho (Brazil) and Eduardo Muñiz (Spain). Muñiz and María Antonieta Núñez (Chile) presented the work of the GCIAMT Rare Phenotypes Working Group and the Chilean registry, respectively. Mg. Paula Gaviria (Colombia) spoke on red blood cell cryopreservation and phenotyping; Carlos Cotorruelo addressed the Rh and MNS blood group systems. Transfusion therapy sessions updated neonatal transfusion, apheresis in pregnant patients, management of transfused patients, and exchange transfusion in sickle cell disease, with talks by Oscar Torres, Silvina Kuperman, Nazarina Alcántara and José Luis Lammas. Radmila Velarde presented current cell therapies in Chile.
Lilian Castilho, during her presentation on the role of the ISBT in strengthening the capabilities of transfusion medicine professionals
Silvina Kuperman giving a presentation at the Chilean Congress on Transfusion Medicine.
Lic. Ana Lucía Cabezas led sessions on communication for donation, overcoming cultural barriers among migrants, and emotional management in donor care. Kuperman addressed telemedicine in donor counselling and eligibility of LGBTQ+ donors.
Speakers at the Chilean Congress on Transfusion Medicine, from left to right: Carlos Cotorruelo (Argentina), Lilian Castilho (Brazil), Paula Gaviria (Colombia), Eduardo Muñiz (Spain), María Antonieta Núñez (Chile), and Oscar Torres (Argentina)
Meeting of uncommon phenotypes working groups
During the congress the Chilean Working Group on Donors with Rare Phenotypes, led by María Antonieta Núñez, met with members of the ISBT Working Party on Rare Donors — Muñiz, Castilho, Mg. Gaviria and Cotorruelo — who are also part of the GCIAMT working group. The meeting provided an opportunity to share experiences and strengthen national and regional collaboration.
Rosario Sau, president of the Chilean Red Cross, and Marcelo Díaz de Valdés, a member of the Chilean Chapter on Transfusion Medicine of the Chilean Society of Hematology board of directors, presented the award in recognition of her more than 50 years of work promoting altruistic donation in Chile.
Recognition
A moving tribute was paid to Marcelo Díaz de Valdés for his career and his contributions to transfusion medicine in Chile. Similarly, the CCHMT recognized Rosario Sau, a volunteer with the Chilean Red Cross, who has worked for more than 50 years to promote voluntary blood donation in Chile.
Acknowledgements
The CCHMT board of SOCHIHEM expresses special thanks for the funding and support of the ISBT, which made the congress and its international reach possible.
Marcelo Díaz de Valdés, Eduardo Muñiz, and María Antonieta Núñez, following the presentations on the Ibero-American Registry of Donors with Rare Phenotypes and the Chilean Registry of Donors with Rare Phenotypes
Directory of the Chilean Chapter of Transfusion Medicine, at the time of the recognition of Marcelo Díaz de Valdés's career
Rosario Sau of the Chilean Red Cross and Ana Lucía Cabezas, speaker at the pre-conference workshop on Promotion and Altruistic Donation
Lilian Castilho advising the Chilean Working Group on Donors with Uncommon Phenotypes
