The ICGC is home to the world's first modern blood bank, with Dr. Duran y Jordà | icgc

The ICGC is home to the world's first modern blood bank, with Dr. Duran y Jordà

19/06/2025 10:45
  • The ICGC is hosting a conference on the figure of the doctor Frederic Duran i Jordà, an exhibition and also a blood donation campaign.
  • The Year of Dr. Frederic Duran i Jordà (1905-1957) aims to restore the memory of one of the most important and forgotten doctors in the history of Catalonia, creator of the first modern blood bank in the world.
  • The Year of Dr. Frederic Duran i Jordà (1905-1957) is promoted by the Barcelona Medical Association (CoMB) with the collaboration of the Blood and Tissue Bank and the ICGC.

Yesterday, June 18, the ICGC hosted the second commemoration event of the Year of Dr. Frederic Duran i Jordà (FDJ), on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of his birth. The event recovered for the first time in situ the spaces of the old Blood Hospital no. 18 de Montjuïc, where the first modern blood bank in the world was created during the Civil War.

Presentation of the event by Antonio Magariños, Director of the ICGC, and Dr. Elena Guardiola i Pereira, President of the Catalan Society of the History of Medicine

Presentation of the event by Antonio Magariños, Director of the ICGC, and Dr. Elena Guardiola i Pereira, President of the Catalan Society of the History of Medicine

 


The day included:

  • A scientific round table entitled “Past, present and future of the work of Frederic Duran i Jordà”, with presentations by experts in the history of medicine and hemotherapy, and the screening of the documentary by Laya Films showing the work of Dr. Duran i Jordà.
  • A guided tour of the original spaces of the building, with historical images placed in the same place, organized by ICGC technicians.
  • A blood donation campaign from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., open to workers and neighbors, in tribute to the pioneering figure of Dr. Duran i Jordà.
Round table with the participation of Dr. Carles Hervás i Puyal (Catalan Society of the History of Medicine), Dr. Verònica Pons i Escoll (Catalan-Balearic Society of Blood Transfusion) and Dr. Sergi Querol i Giner (Catalan Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy). Round table moderated by Dr. Miquel Lozano i Molero (Barcelona College of Physicians).

Round table with the participation of Dr. Carles Hervás i Puyal (Catalan Society of the History of Medicine), Dr. Verònica Pons i Escoll (Catalan-Balearic Society of Blood Transfusion) and Dr. Sergi Querol i Giner (Catalan Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy). Round table moderated by Dr. Miquel Lozano i Molero (Barcelona College of Physicians).

 


The event, which is part of the FDJ Year program, is promoted by the Barcelona Medical Association (CoMB), the Catalan Society of the History of Medicine, the Catalan-Balearic Society of Blood Transfusion, the Catalan Society of Hematology and Hemotherapy and the Generalitat Blood and Tissue Bank with the collaboration of the ICGC.

Duran i Jordà was an international reference in blood transfusion and launched the first system of blood donation, processing and transport to the front during the Civil War. His figure, silenced for decades, is being restored with various commemorative actions throughout 2025.

In addition to the day, we have also hosted a blood donation campaign open to workers and the neighborhood. This action is part of the ICGC's commitment to the dissemination of scientific heritage and the recovery of historical memory.

 

More information: https://govern.cat/salapremsa/notes-premsa/717902/lany-dr-frederic-duran-jorda-1905-1957-mostra-primera-vegada-del-banc-sang-modern-del-mon-in-situ.