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and recently it’s helped develop tests to determine the best treatments for von Willebrand Disease, a bleeding disorder. Currently, its researchers are focused on blood cancers, sickle cell disease and much more. Milwaukee’s Versiti Blood Research Institute is a “There’s really nothing in the country like Versiti,” national leader in blood research and innovation. Miskel says. “I describe it as a house of hematology. All of these scientists are under one roof doing blood research in many different ways – the safety of blood, bleeding and SEVENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO, the Junior League of Milwaukee saw a need in the city – patients needed blood and clotting, the immune response of blood, blood cancers – donors were in short supply. The group of local women and they’re all collaborating. It’s allowed us to excel and to recruit the best minds in blood founded the Milwaukee research around.” Blood Center on Wells The nonprofit is in the midst Street, a small location where of two major expansions right people could donate. The now. First, its main research humble operation would institute on Watertown Plank soon grow exponentially. Road will have a new space “The Junior League knew built in the next couple years, the city needed a sustainable with an estimated completion blood supply – but they also date in 2026. The new space knew the importance of will allow the organization science and innovation in to construct more laboratory medicine. That was part of areas and hire more scientists the fabric of the organization to fill them. from the beginning,” says And in March, Versiti is Chris Miskel, the current set to open Versiti on King, president of the blood center, a new permanent blood which is now called Versiti. center and community reSince 1947, Versiti has source center in Bronzeville, provided thousands with as part of the ThriveOn King donated blood – but it has development. also made major advances in Chris Miskel, President and CEO “Diversity of blood supply blood research and innovation. Just a few examples: in 1981, scientists at Versiti, in is important – there are disorders like sickle-cell disease collaboration with the Medical College of Wisconsin and that disproportionately effect African Americans,” Miskel Children’s Hospital, completed the world’s first successful says. “There’s a real need for diverse donors, and we want transplant for aplastic anemia using bone marrow from to encourage that, while also serving a community that an unrelated blood donor; in 1983, its research produced is historically underserved.” The center will provide employment and job skills trainthe first treatment for infants who are Protein C-deficient; ing, disease education and a community health navigator. Miskel says the community health VERSITI navigator will help 414-937-6238 people understand Versiti.org/VBRI their health care needs and how to access the right care. “Versiti has national and international impact – and we’re right here in Milwaukee,” Miskel says. “We’ve been here 77 years, and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done, and everything we have planned for the future.” ◆
IMAGES: COURTESY OF VERSITI
A House of HEMATOLOGY
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