News from JIM PERKINS (BK):

“’Now that I’m retired I’m busier than ever.” I’d heard it so often, but now I get it. For 30 years I’ve been a pathologist in the Chicago area directing blood banks. In 2015, I went ‘part time,’ to ease into retirement, finally ending all clinical work in 2019. I’m still busy with my non-profit, the Indian Immunohematology Initiative (III). I started the III 15 years ago to teach the blood group antibody detection and identification in South Asia, a desperately needed capability. In October 2019, the AABB (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) selected me and the III to deliver the Emily Cooley lectureship, one of their highest awards. I’m deeply honored. My wife, Jane Sisco, and I have been together for 13 years now. She retired as a textile designer in 2016, the better to enjoy her five grandchildren. My own three sons are all following their own paths: Nick has three restaurants in NYC; Russell is an artist; Mikey has a carpentry business in Chicago. I’m a lucky guy!”