WHEREAS, blood management is the appropriate provision and use of blood, its components and derivatives, and strategies to reduce or avoid the need for a blood transfusion; and

WHEREAS, blood management is supported by trained professionals committed to improving patient outcomes and educating the medical community about best practices in blood management; and

WHEREAS, improvement of blood management in our hospitals is increasingly recognized as an important goal of various regulatory bodies; and

WHEREAS, Blood Management Awareness Week highlights the concerns of every person about having the best health care available, respect for individual preferences and the importance of continuing education for health care professionals who provide blood management care;