In Memory of Dr. Celso Bianco

On August 16, 2018, we lost much valued colleague, mentor and friend who had great influence on transfusion medicine around the world. Dr. Celso Bianco served as the Chairman of Canadian Blood Services’ Scientific Research Advisory Council from 2002–2012 and was the recipient of a Canadian Blood Services’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

Dr. Bianco has spent more than 40 years researching, teaching and managing issues related to transfusion medicine, transfusion-transmitted diseases and blood safety. He authored or co-authored more than 200 scientific publications on a wide range of topics, including plasma membrane receptors of lymphocytes and macrophages, immunology, infectious diseases, and transfusion medicine.

Throughout the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, Dr. Bianco played an important role in the research of transfusion transmitted diseases. His publications regarding screening methodology, donor notification and counselling of infected donors provided strategic support for large blood operators.

Over the course of his career, he became a world-renowned expert on blood-related medical practices, diseases and safety, providing breakthrough scientific research and guidance to the Canadian blood system. Through his membership in the Canadian Red Cross Transfusion Transmissible Diseases Working Group (1995–1998) and his position as Chair of the Canadian Blood Services Scientific and Research Advisory Committee (2002–2012), he provided essential counsel and support to Canadian Blood Services.

Dr. Bianco consistently demonstrated not only scientific excellence, but the utmost kindness as well as wisdom, diplomacy and dignity. He has served as a colleague, mentor and friend for innumerable transfusion medicine professionals all over the world.

He will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences to his family.