As we pause on Armistice Day to remember those who gave their lives in conflict, it is fitting also to reflect on how the legacy of war has shaped and advanced haematology and transfusion medicine. The challenges faced by military medics during both World Wars drove innovation in blood storage, typing, and transfusion techniques that continue to save countless lives today.
It was during the Second World War, that British physiologist Janet Vaughan, worked with the Medical Research Council to establish national blood banks in London. Blood transfusions then played an essential role in saving soldiers’ lives during the retreat from Dunkirk and countless civilians during the Blitz.
Modern developments, from major haemorrhage protocols to targeted component therapy, new methods of blood delivery, prehospital transfusion and haemostatic agents build upon those foundations, ensuring that soldiers injured in combat now receive rapid, targeted, and life-saving care. The spirit of service and sacrifice, commemorated on Armistice Day, is ongoing in our commitment to improving transfusion practice for all who depend upon it.
Professor Tim Hodgetts, Surgeon Major General and Commandant of the Royal Army Medical Services, will speak on our medical preparedness for war in the Presidential Lecture at our Annual Scientific Meeting in Liverpool. This will be complemented by the medal lecture in the same session, when Cheng Hock Toh will discuss Discerning Insights into Coagulation. I very much look forward to hearing them both.
Haemato-oncology too has been shaped by wartime experience, notably through the discovery of the first chemotherapy for lymphoma. Mustine, a derivative of nitrogen mustard, was first used as a weapon against British soldiers at Ypres, Belgium, in 1917. During World War II, researchers were seeking treatment for soldiers attacked with ‘mustard gas’ and discovered the impact the weapon had on the soldiers’ white blood cells. That led to two of the researchers trialling ‘substance x’ on a cancer patient in August 1942. Although it only briefly prolonged the first patient’s life, it was the starting point for treatments still in use today.
There is a lot more to discover with Military Medicine and Haematology, and whilst our next Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) is already full, with an exciting scientific programme, our 2027 ASM may be able to include a parallel session devoted to these advances.
As we remember those who died in battle, let’s also think about one of our own. I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Dr Georgia Saccullo at the age of 42 from cancer. Georgia was known for her inimitable charm, flair and determination. She brought her enthusiasm and joy of life to the Sheffield Haemophilia and Thrombosis Service in 2017, as a consultant, having started her career in Palermo, Sicily. She will be badly missed by her colleagues, friends and the haematology world, as well as the worlds of wine enthusiasts and music lovers into which she also threw her passion.
I want to end this month’s message by sharing a personal reflection of the NHS as a recent user. A few weeks ago, my family experienced every parent’s nightmare. My daughter suffered a near-fatal, bike vs lorry, accident that required an emergency response and a series of urgent interventions. In those harrowing hours, when fear eclipsed everything else, we witnessed the NHS at its very best.
She, and her brother who was with her, were so thankful for the speed and skill of the emergency services on the London street and the helpfulness of bystanders. The paramedics were calm and purposeful; pain relief and reassurance were immediate.
From the emergency department, to theatres, and ward care, every individual we encountered demonstrated extraordinary competence, compassion, and teamwork. The coordination between services, clarity of communication, and quiet capability of every staff member gave us strength.
What struck me most was the humanity that underpinned the professionalism. Amid the urgency, a nurse gently held my daughter’s hand, an anaesthetist took time to explain each step to her, and the surgeons spoke with honesty and warmth. Those moments of empathy are priceless.
As clinicians, we view the NHS from within - through the lens of pressures, targets, and restrictions. Experiencing it as a patient’s parent reminded me that behind every policy and protocol stands a community of people who give their best, often under immense strain, yet still find the kindness to reassure frightened patients and their families.
Navigating life after her discharge opened my eyes to another reality - that of living, even temporarily, with disability. Pushing her wheelchair through hospital corridors, car parks, and city streets revealed how easily we overlook the barriers that patients and families face every day. Ramps that are too steep, doors too heavy, pavements too narrow - each presented a reminder that independence and dignity rely not only on medical care, but also on thoughtful design and awareness. Experiencing the world from that perspective has deepened my appreciation for colleagues who advocate for accessibility and inclusion in healthcare, and reminded me that recovery extends far beyond the hospital walls.
My daughter’s recovery has been remarkable, thanks to the skill and dedication of countless NHS staff. I will forever be grateful, and I am prouder than ever to be part of this extraordinary institution.