Associated Press and AABB reporting on the 2026 changes

Associated Press reported that the September policy lets members receive treatments involving the four main components while keeping the ban on whole blood transfusion and on donating for that purpose. AP called it the second revision in 2026 to one of the organization’s most controversial teachings. AP’s March report, and a notice from AABB (the blood banking professional association), describe the earlier change: members may now decide whether to have their own blood drawn, stored, and later transfused. Previous guidance generally did not permit that storage.