President's Message

Nearly 500 years ago, the Conquistadores defeated Montezuma and the Aztec civilization through a great blood shedding, incorporating the European habits and culture into what could be considered the most advanced civilization in the pre Columbian period of the American Continent. In 2012, another kind of activity will be incorporated to the “blood” word: blood harmonization, when Mexico will host and receive the whole world blood transfusion community in the magnificent city of Cancun.
All delegates will have the opportunity to share their knowledge with ISBT members from more than 90 countries all around the globe. We will be active players bringing to this great country the latest scientific developments in transfusion medicine. However, as a counterpart, the scientific community will also learn from Mexico what have been the recent advances in their young, vibrant and progressive Associación Mexicana de Medicina Transfusional (AMMTAC).

The scientific committee is already working on a very challenging, updated and interesting scientific program, honoring the ISBT International Conference’s tradition to gather what can be considered a great balance between scientific and global harmonization in transfusion medicine. In addition, all delegates will benefit from the great Mexican history,folklore, and hospitality.

Mexico has the third largest population in the American continent (120 million), and one of the main aspects is the diverse cultural background. This country is equidistant from all remaining American countries (from North, Central and South America), but also from Europe and Asia. Cancun is located in the Yucatan Peninsula, with outstanding transport facilities (there are actually hundreds of direct flights from all parts of the world), an outstanding hotel infrastructure, and a modern convention centre. Surrounded by crystalline, Atlantic blue waters, it has a very pleasant climate and sunny days; this spot will be highly appreciated by all delegates, their family or accompanying persons. The rich local culture
will impress those who never visited Mexico before.
Apart from the modern hotels, MCI-Eurocongress and B.P. Servimed, the local congress organizer are actively working to guarantee low rate hotels, so a considerable number of rooms for a very affordable rate to all delegates will be available.

We expect to have a great number of Mexican attendees from AMMTAC, most of them young, promising, and interested members who will have a great opportunity to get together for the first time with global key players in the field. The challenge for ISBT will be to actively contribute to the very fast, growing and dynamic development in Mexican transfusion medicine. The ISBT Board is proud that Mexico will be our host for 2012. I am certain that not only Mexico will benefit from it, but the entire blood transfusion community in the world. Don’t miss Cancun in 2012.

Silvano Wendel MD, PhD
ISBT President 2010 - 2012