National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanics and Latinos. Starting September 15th and running until October 15th, this 30-day period of celebration includes many significant dates for the Hispanic and Latino communities, including anniversaries of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. It is a reminder of the varied cultures, innovations, and legacies our Hispanic and Latino neighbors bring.
Who is Baruj Benacerraf?
In observation of National Hispanic Heritage Month, We Are Blood is proud to highlight the contributions of Venezuelan immunologist Baruj Benacerraf, who was honored with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980 for his contributions related to major histocompatibility complex genes.
These genes are critical to determining donor compatibility for organ transplant and help the immune system identify unfamiliar tissues during the transplant progress. Benacerraf showed that these genes not only determine everyone’s unique antigens but also regulate the response of the cells in the immune system. This work would become critical in improving outcomes for individuals requiring transfusions or tissue transplants, where antigen responsiveness can determine success.
Learn more about the impact of antigen matching in our Matching Matters blog.
Celebrating Contributions to Our Community
We Are Blood is proud to celebrate our Hispanic and Latino community members for the contributions they make year around. By sharing their culture, histories, and innovations, they enrich and strengthen our community.