Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics

In recognition of Donate Life Month and Pediatric Transplant Week (April 19-25), join us April 8 for “Donate Life Month Feature: One Family's Legacy, One Child's Future.” This powerful webinar brings together a donor family who made the selfless decision to give the gift of life and a young transplant recipient’s family who will share how that gift allowed their child to grow, play, and simply be a kid again. Together, their stories highlight the profound impact of donation and the lives it forever changes. Register for this inspiring session today! #WebinarWednesday https://bit.ly/4sHMces Target Audience: This webinar is designed for tissue banking professionals across recovery, processing, distribution, quality, and compliance functions, as well as donor services coordinators, family support personnel, authorization specialists, and donor coordinators.

Spotlight on AATB Affiliate Member: Induce Biologics USA Inc. Induce Biologics USA Inc. was founded to develop the next evolution of bone regeneration products. Its founders and management team have previously developed and launched several very successful orthobiologics (bone and tissue repair) products, including several bone graft substitutes. Learn more about Induce Biologics and the benefits of AATB Affiliate Membership here: https://bit.ly/3Aj8yZu

AATB is still accepting proposals for 75-minute educational sessions for AATB Congress 26, taking place October 4–7, 2026 in San Francisco, CA. As we celebrate 50 years of AATB and look ahead to the future of the tissue and biologics community, we’re seeking engaging, forward-looking sessions aligned with topics relevant to AATB’s councils. If you have expertise or insights to share with the field, we encourage you to submit a proposal. The deadline to submit is April 1, 2026. https://bit.ly/3OiKhhu

AATB recently submitted a comment letter to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency’s 2007 donor eligibility guidance, which determined that sepsis is a relevant communicable disease agent or disease (RCDAD). Read more and access the full letter on the AATB website: https://bit.ly/47hWtFY

The call for abstracts is still open for AATB Congress 26. Join us October 4–7, 2026, in San Francisco, CA, as we celebrate 50 years of AATB and bring together the tissue and biologics community to share research, innovations, and best practices. Authors are invited to submit original abstracts in Scientific Research or Practice, Quality, and Translational Innovation for consideration. The deadline to submit is April 1, 2026. https://bit.ly/4sU5r4B

REMINDER: The House Appropriations Committee has set deadlines for Members of Congress to submit appropriations requests, with the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee deadline being extended to March 27. AATB is asking members and stakeholders to contact their Congressional offices in support of FY 2027 appropriations report language addressing Medicare payment for skin substitutes, as recent CMS policy changes have created reimbursement challenges that may affect patient access and ongoing innovation. Learn more and take action: https://bit.ly/4soKRZx

We’re inviting members of the tissue and biologics community to help shape the educational program for AATB Congress 26 by submitting a session proposal. AATB Congress 26 will take place October 4–7, 2026 in San Francisco, CA and will bring together leaders and experts from across the field to connect, collaborate, and share knowledge. Proposals for 75-minute educational sessions aligned with AATB council topics are now being accepted. The submission deadline is April 1, 2026. https://bit.ly/3OiKhhu

Collaboration across the continuum of care is essential for supporting donor families. Join us March 25 for an overview of funeral home operations and the role they play in serving families. The webinar “Better Together: Understanding the Funeral Director’s Challenge” will explore common pain points faced by funeral homes, many of which parallel those of tissue banks and OPOs, and how these challenges affect embalming and service to grieving families. #WebinarWednesday https://bit.ly/3Ofi3UT Target Audience: Recovery, family services, and operations professionals seeking a better understanding of funeral home practices and embalming considerations that impact donor care and family experience.

Spotlight on AATB Affiliate Member: BioBridge Global BioBridge Global is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit healthcare services enterprise that offers diverse services through its nonprofit subsidiaries - South Texas Blood & Tissue, QualTex Laboratories, BBG Advanced Therapies, and The Blood & Tissue Center Foundation. BioBridge Global provides products and services in blood resource management, cellular therapy, donated umbilical cord blood, and human tissue, as well as testing of blood, plasma, and tissue products for clients in the United States and worldwide. Learn more about BioBridge Global and the benefits of AATB Affiliate Membership here: https://bit.ly/3Aj8yZu

Have research or innovations to share with the tissue banking and biologics community? Abstract submissions are open for AATB Congress 26. We invite professionals and researchers across the tissue and biologics community to submit original work in the categories of Scientific Research or Practice, Quality, and Translational Innovation. Accepted abstracts will be featured as digital and physical posters, with opportunities for recognition and presentation during the Congress. Submit your abstract by April 1, 2026. https://bit.ly/4bqJC5t