The BEST collaborative is a unique free-standing group of over 170 manufacturers, clinicians, and scientists from 22 countries committed to improving transfusion practice through international studies. The group is organized in 4 work teams (Conventional Components, Cellular Therapies, Clinical Transfusion Studies, and Donor Studies, although members generally contribute across these groupings. 42 scientific members from 9 countries representing a diversity of interests and high levels of accomplishment. The supporting members of BEST span a broad range of the companies and blood suppliers engaged with blood collection, distribution and transfusion worldwide. We also have been pleased to have some participation from regulatory agencies such as FDA and the Paul Ehrlich Institute.