2019 Annual Report

Crucial Commitments of 2019

The ASH Executive Committee has identified key strategic priorities through which ASH can make the greatest impact in advancing the field of hematology. In 2019, ASH made significant progress in its commitment to supporting these priorities through the following efforts. Learn more about the Society’s accomplishments throughout this report. Some highlights:

ASH Research Collaborative

A major priority for ASH in 2019 was fulfilling its commitment to advance the ASH Research Collaborative (ASH RC), a separate 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization established by ASH to foster collaborative partnerships and accelerate progress in hematology. Over the past year, major strides were made toward the ASH RC’s two fundamental initiatives, the Data Hub and the Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Trials Network.

ASH Sickle Cell Disease Initiative

Conquering Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) continued to be a top priority for ASH in 2019, with significant advances toward increasing the number and range of clinical trials, continuing to support basic research, and providing resources such as the new ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on SCD that benefit health care professionals, patients, and caregivers in the SCD community.

Quality Improvement

A major focus for ASH in 2019 was the continued development of ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines and other resources that help clinicians improve the quality of care for patients. ASH completed and published a dozen evidence-based clinical practice guidelines in Blood Advances and released new Choosing Wisely recommendations.

Developing a Hematology Workforce

ASH invested more than $11 million in career development awards and training programs in 2019, marking another successful year of developing future generations of hematologists. In addition to providing funding, training, and mentorship for more than 900 awardees around the world, ASH published the first report on its three-year longitudinal study on the hematology workforce in Blood Advances.

Though ASH may be best known for its premier educational and scientific meetings, the Society is forging ahead on strategic opportunities for advancing the field of hematology. In 2019, ASH made significant progress in the following areas identified by the ASH Executive Committee as key priorities.

ASH Research Collaborative

The ASH Research Collaborative (ASH RC) is a non-profit organization established by ASH to improve the lives of people affected by blood diseases by fostering collaborative partnerships to accelerate progress in hematology. In 2019, the ASH Research Collaborative made significant progress on its primary initiatives, the ASH RC Data Hub and Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Trials Network (CTN).

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Data Hub

The ASH RC Data Hub is a platform designed to facilitate the sharing of data on hematologic diseases. It serves as the central data repository for the Clinical Trials Network. In 2019, the ASH RC collaborated with Novartis and Amgen to include de-identified patient data of nearly 500 patients with SCD and more than 1,000 patients with multiple myeloma, respectively, as part of this unprecedented data sharing initiative. Today, the Data Hub includes clinical information for more than 3,000 patients with SCD and 2,000 patients with multiple myeloma.

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Clinical Trials Network

The first research initiative of the ASH RC is the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Clinical Trials Network, which launched in 2019 with the goals of optimizing clinical trial research, facilitating innovation, and accelerating drug development in SCD. In 2019, more than 20 research sites began the process of applying to become accepted into the Network. Together, these sites represent roughly 50,000 people living with SCD across the U.S.

Community Engagement Workshops

In 2019, the ASH RC held community engagement workshops in eight cities across the U.S. to learn about the research priorities of patients and caregivers affected by SCD. A report of the findings will be published in 2020 to educate researchers, clinicians, and funders about the SCD community’s experiences and opinions to better inform future clinical trials.

Sickle Cell Disease

In 2019, ASH made important strides toward its commitment to conquering Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) through its support of basic research, its work to increase the number and range of clinical trials, and through the creation and distribution of resources designed for health care professionals, patients, and caregivers.

ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on SCD

ASH continued the development of its series of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines on SCD, including the publication of the ASH Guidelines on SCD-Related Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease. Access the ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on SCD.

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Sickle Cell Disease

ASH Advocacy

ASH advocacy efforts played a role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) receiving $1 million in FY19 funding to expand the Agency’s Sickle Cell Disease Data Collection Program.

SCD Clinical Endpoints Workshop

In collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in 2019 ASH convened an SCD Clinical Endpoints Workshop to discuss the current state of the science.  Following the workshop,  ASH and FDA leaders published a paper highlighting key recommendations and proposed endpoints for future research.

Developing the Hematology Workforce

As the world leader in hematology, ASH is committed to developing future generations of hematology professionals with a special emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

ASH Award programs

ASH Award programs continued to provide funding, training, and mentorship to the next generation of hematologists in 2019, with more than $11 million invested in career development awards and training programs, benefiting 900+ awardees from around the world.

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Developing the Hematology Workforce

Hematology Workforce Study

In 2019, ASH published the first report of a three-year longitudinal study on the hematology workforce that began in partnership with the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute for Health Workforce Equity in 2018. In the report, researchers compared the educational, mentorship, and job market experiences among fellows who planned to enter hematology-related careers. The report is a result of an ongoing effort by ASH to examine the hematology workforce to ensure a strong pipeline of talent in hematology for the future.

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Developing the Hematology Workforce

Women in Hematology

In 2019, the ASH Executive Committee created the ASH Women in Hematology Working Group (WIH) with the goal of achieving gender equity within ASH programs, activities, and opportunities. Throughout 2019, the committee worked to examine existing programs and additional opportunities to support the careers of women hematologists. At the 61st ASH Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL, WIH hosted an interactive lecture and reception in which women and men came together to recognize the value and impact of women in the field and discuss the importance of gender diversity in medicine.

Developing the Hematology Workforce

ASH-a-Palooza

In 2019, ASH held its second annual ASH-a-Palooza at the 61st ASH Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL. The event—held at TopGolf Orlando— is designed to educate and excite trainees about the field of hematology by offering a modern educational experience where trainees can learn, network, and have fun in a relaxed, open learning environment.

ASH is committed to the development of resources to help hematologists and other health care professionals improve the quality of care for patients. In 2019, ASH published a number of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, in addition to continuing the development of future guidelines and releasing new Choosing Wisely recommendations. In a 2019 Survey of ASH members in practice, 84% of those aware of the new ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on VTE referenced or made use of these guidelines at least once during their typical work month.

ASH Guidelines on Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)

In 2019, ASH published the ASH Guidelines on VTE: Prevention in Hospitalized Surgical Patients. The panel considered major surgical areas in which VTE is high-risk, particularly in the absence of preventive strategies. ASH has published seven total guidelines on VTE, with four additional guidelines planned for release.

ASH has partnered with 12 societies to adapt the ASH Guidelines on VTE for Latin America. In 2019, the panel selected questions that are clinically significant in Latin America and reviewed the evidence to form recommendations that will be published in 2020.

ASH Guidelines on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

The ASH Guidelines on SCD: Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease were published in 2019,  providing evidence-based recommendations related to the screening, diagnosis, and management of cardiopulmonary and renal complications of SCD. This guideline is the first of a series of five SCD guidelines under development, with the rest anticipated for publication in 2020.

ASH Guidelines on Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

In 2019, ASH released an update to the 2011 ASH Clinical Guidelines on ITP which covers the management of both adult and pediatric ITP. The guidelines are intended to support patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals in their decisions about the management of ITP.

Other ASH Guidelines in Development

In 2019 ASH continued the development of clinical practice guidelines on von Willebrand Disease (VWD) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ASH expects to release guidelines for VWD and AML in 2020-21.

ASH Choosing Wisely

As part of its Choosing Wisely campaign, in 2019 ASH and the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) released a new list aimed at reducing unnecessary tests and procedures in the pediatric population. ASH plays an active role in Choosing Wisely, a multi-year effort led by the ABIM Foundation to support and engage physicians in being better stewards of finite health care resources.

For many hematologists, “ASH” is practically synonymous with the annual meeting. While ASH serves the hematology community in many ways year-round, ASH meetings– including smaller, focused educational meetings serve as the most prominent educational and collaborative experiences for hematologists worldwide.

61st ASH Annual Meeting

ASH continued to top attendance records for the ASH Annual Meeting, with nearly 30,000 attendees in 2019 and at least 117 countries represented. Nearly 4,800 scientific abstracts were selected for presentation, including nearly 3,900 posters showcased in the poster hall and 936 oral abstracts presented in 156 sessions. The meeting garnered significant engagement on social media, with more than 179,500,000 potential total impressions on Twitter. 

Highlights of ASH

Nine Highlights of ASH meetings were held in 2019, including the inaugural Highlights of ASH in the Mediterranean hosted in Athens, Greece. Other Highlights of ASH meetings were held in Asia, Latin America, and six cities across the United States. Highlights of ASH Meetings attracted 1,148 attendees in North America, 845 in Asia-Pacific, 498 in Latin America, and 450 in the Mediterranean.

ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies

The ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies, which featured top experts in the field, small-group networking opportunities, and the popular “How I Treat” presentation format, attracted more than 400 attendees in September 2019, with at least 14 countries represented. Participants heard exciting updates in each of the core hematologic malignancies, including leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes, myeloma, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

ASH Workshops

ASH hosted a workshop in November 2019 to train health care professionals in the skills necessary to establish care centers focused on adults living with SCD.

In November 2019, ASH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a follow-up to the 2008 ASH-CDC VTE Surveillance Workshop, aimed at tracking progress over the last 11 years and identifying priorities for the future. 

ASH supports hematologists around the world by offering various research awards, training programs, and other resources designed to enhance knowledge, research, and expertise. In 2019, ASH award programs continued to provide funding, training, and mentorship to a new generation of ASH awardees.

$ 11 M

Spent in career development awards and training programs in 2019

900 +

Award recipients in 2019

35 +

Countries with ASH award recipients

New and Updated ASH Awards

ASH introduced the Minority Hematology Graduate Award in 2019, providing support and exposure to academic hematology for doctoral students in their first, second, or third year of graduate school. ASH also expanded the eligibility requirements for the ASH Scholar Award in 2019 to offer more funding opportunities for hematology researchers throughout their education and careers.

The ASH Awards Pathway

ASH awards are designed to help launch and grow careers in hematology through early research experience, as well as enhance knowledge, research experience, and clinical expertise for working hematologists. The ASH Awards Pathway offers programs that support individuals with an interest in hematology– from medical students through mid-career hematologists.

"The ASH Bridge Grant has single-handedly allowed me to stay in academic research. It has permitted me to be able to continue to employ my lab staff and continue our investigations in hematology. I am both honored and grateful to have received this grant."

—

Troy Lund, MD, PhD

ASH continues to play a vital role in influencing policies and advocating for hematology. In 2019, ASH engaged in advocacy activities related to funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as other issues of concern to practicing physicians.

158

Congressional office visits by ASH members and staff in 2019

750 +

Letters to Congress by ASH members and staff in 2019

Congressional Highlights

In 2019 NIH experienced a $2 billion dollar increase for FY19 for a total funding level of $39.1 billion – its fourth consecutive annual funding increase. ASH joined other organizations to recommend at least $41.6 billion for the NIH in FY20. The Society also helped secure $1 million in funding for the CDC to expand the Agency’s Sickle Cell Disease Data Collection Program.

Advocating for CAR-T Cell Therapies

ASH advocated on Capitol Hill and at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for appropriate and adequate reimbursement for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapies (CAR-T) and other complex medical treatments.

In 2019, ASH called on CMS to set the reimbursement rate at 80% for CAR-T or other cell and gene therapies. While two CAR-T therapies have been approved to treat non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute lymphocytic leukemia, with a cost of nearly $500,000 they are some of the most expensive treatments ever approved.

As the world’s premier hematology organization, ASH continues to expand its international programs and services designed to help hematologists conquer blood diseases worldwide. In 2019, ASH global programs continued to provide guidance, leadership, and training on a variety of areas of international focus.

African SCD Newborn Screening and Early Intervention Consortium

In an effort to raise awareness of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) globally by partnering with international organizations focused on SCD education, ASH continued to expand African SCD Newborn Screening and Early Intervention Consortium networks in Africa in 2019 via a consortium of Sub-Saharan countries.

Kenya and Uganda indicated their readiness to join Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania to introduce standard-of-care practices for screening and early intervention therapies to decrease childhood mortality rates for SCD. Four of these networks (Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Tanzania) are poised to begin screening babies in the first quarter of 2020, while the other two (Kenya and Uganda) will likely begin in mid-late 2020.

International Consortium on Acute Leukemia (ICAL)

The International Consortium on Acute Leukemia (ICAL) is a clinical network that seeks to improve the care of patients with acute leukemia in Latin America by introducing and fostering clinical and laboratory procedures that are considered standard care.

In 2019, the ICAL was awarded a grant by the Torsten Haferlach Leukemia Diagnostics Foundation to support the development of a next-generation sequencing platform at participating ICAL laboratories. The support will include the placement of llumina iSeq100 machines, which simplify and reduce the cost of sequencing, in all six participating ICAL laboratories, NGS starter kits (library preparation and sequencing), and personnel training. The first training took place at the end of 2019. Additionally, ASH will supplement training through the Visitor Training Program.

Children’s International Consortium on Acute Leukemia (C-ICAL)

In partnership with SickKids Toronto, the Children’s International Consortium on Acute Leukemia (C-ICAL) brings together clinicians and researchers from the Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago to develop a registry study on the treatment and study of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), introduce and foster procedures that represent standard care for treatment of ALL, build the capacity of local clinicians for conducting clinical trials, and promote the availability of approved drugs or promising experimental drugs that may not be available.

In 2019, all four participating countries obtained local IRB approvals. With the necessary approvals in place, the registry study is now open and sites can start enrolling patients. The site in the Bahamas enrolled its first patient in the fall of 2019.

Latin American Training Program (LATP)

The Latin American Training Program (LATP) helps build hematology capacity around the world by providing funding for 12 weeks of training around a specific priority area in an awardee’s region. LATP, which began in 2014 with three training centers available to host training programs for awardees, expanded in 2019 with a new center for hematopathology in Chile. This latest addition makes for a total of nine training centers available on the continent.

These nine centers hosted seven awardees for training in flow cytometry and molecular biology, adult stem cell transplantation, diagnosis and treatment of coagulopathies, hemostasis and thrombosis, pediatric stem cell transplantation, and hematopathology.

Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO)

Together with Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving global health through education, ASH brings invaluable consultation and training to hospitals in low- and middle-income countries. Training provided by ASH members includes rounds in the clinic, bedside consultations, classroom lectures to on-site staff and trainees, training in laboratories, and more. The objective of the program is to develop sustainable improvement in the management of hematology patients at these institutions and to, ultimately, enhance patient care.

In 2019, the HVO hematology program opened a new site at the National Cancer Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and accepted its first volunteers in September. The HVO hematology program now has four sites where ASH members can volunteer in Cambodia, Peru, and Tanzania.

ASH continues to uphold the highest standards for its premier publications, which cover the breadth of clinical and scientific research and education in the field of hematology. 2019 ushered in record-breaking numbers and prestigious awards for ASH publications, along with new digital resources to assist in the dissemination of critical research and discoveries to hematologists around the world.

Blood  published 788 articles in 2019 and achieved an Impact Factor of 16.601- up from 15.132 in 2018. Blood also remained the #1 publication in hematology according to its Google Scholar h5-index of 152 and Eigenfactor of .24111. In 2019,  Blood launched its first podcast, which is published weekly and highlights selected content from the most recent articles published in the journal.

Blood Advances, ASH’s online, open-access journal, continues to grow in prominence. The journal published more than 450 articles in 2019, up from 295 articles in the previous year. Four new ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines were published in Blood Advances in 2019, on the topics of SCD, VTE, and ITP. The evidence-based guidelines can be accessed here.

The Hematologist ushered in a new look for the cover, refreshed color palette, and enhanced organization and flow of its most popular section, Diffusion. The mobile presence of the newsletter also evolved as it joined its sister publications on the ASH Publications app. The Hematologist podcast reached a new milestone as well, with more than 33,000 plays and 17,000 downloads.

ASH Clinical News celebrated five years of publication in 2019, which was also the final year of Dr. Mikkael Sekeres’ term as founding editor-in-chief. The magazine received five editorial awards in 2019, including two Communicator Awards – an Award of Excellence and an Award of Distinction – from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, a silver Excel Award from Association Media & Publishing, and a bronze ASHPE award from the American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors. Also, a refreshed design for the print publication was unveiled with the December 2019 issue.

ASH News Daily  continued to build on the success of the previous year through enhancements to the website. The site was completely redesigned for the 2019 ASH Annual Meeting and now includes improved search and browse tools, boasts a comprehensive daily photo gallery featuring hundreds of images from throughout the meeting, and serves as the official home for ASH News TV.

The ASH Fiscal year 2019 (July 2018-June 2019) was another year of positive financial growth for ASH. This financial stability enables ASH to continue to expand existing efforts, fund new projects, and support its overall mission of promoting research, clinical care, education, training, and advocacy in hematology.

Audited Expenses in 2019

Operating Revenue in 2019

The ASH Foundation was created in 2012 to facilitate private philanthropic relationships with individual donors, other foundations, and government agencies that confer charitable grants. Thanks to generous donors, in 2019 the ASH Foundation provided additional resources to enhance and expand ASH programs dedicated to advancing hematology research, promoting career development and training, and making a global impact.

$ 1 M+

Disbursements in FY19

1,794

ASH Foundation donors in FY19

55

Countries represented by donors in FY19

ASH Foundation Gifts in Action

Through charitable support from the ASH Foundation, ASH is able to enhance and expand important hematology programs and pursue new, visionary initiatives. See ASH Foundation gifts in action.