A tribute to Prof. Yoshihiro Endo

Prof. Yoshihiro Endo passed away on July 23, 2023, at the age of 66. We are profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of him. He was a professor of Faculty of Nursing at Shiga University of Medical Science and an esteemed surgeon at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital. His unwavering dedication to his patients and mentorship of his students profoundly impacted many lives. He held several key positions within the Japanese Society for Apheresis (JSFA), earning deep respect as a Vice-President and an honorary member. At the International Society for Apheresis (ISFA), since the establishment of the society, he had been actively involved in its operations, dedicating his life to its development and growth. His leadership and dedication significantly contributed to society's advancement and reputation in the Apheresis community. His enthusiastic commitment and contributions were instrumental in shaping the organization into what it is today. My deep connection with him began when he served as the editor-in-chief of JSFA journal editorial board. During that time, I had the privilege of participating as the deputy editor, working closely with him on the board. Prof. Endo was always calm, composed, and humble, often choosing his words carefully. Yet, when the occasion called for him, he would express his thoughts with clarity and conviction. This balance of humility and decisiveness earned him the trust and respect of many. I hear that some nurses, even years after their graduation, would often visit him to confide their work-related concerns, finding comfort in his warm support. It tells us how much they relied on his kind personality. When I assumed the position of president of JSFA in 2020, I asked Prof. Endo to serve as a vice president due to the strong trust he commanded among our colleagues. During our challenging decisions, he consistently provided calm and insightful advice, guiding us in the right direction with his wisdom. As he had a specialization in gastrointestinal surgery, he focused on research related to inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column (PMX). He had consistently presented the outcomes of numerous clinical and basic research studies at conferences and published them internationally, significantly contributing to the worldwide dissemination and awareness of apheresis technology originating from Japan. Since 1996, Dr. Endo had been working under Prof. Tohru Tani, serving as the Board Member of ISFA. In 2009, he succeeded Prof. Tani and held the position of Secretary Treasurer for many years. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he took full responsibility for ISFA's operations as the Secretary Treasurer, contributing immensely to the development of ISFA in ways that words alone cannot fully express. Prof. Endo, affectionately called as “Yoshi,” was held in high regard by colleagues worldwide, including those in Europe, the United States, and across Asia. Upon the sad news of his passing, many shared heartfelt messages in remembrance of him. Here are the condolences from our Board Members to Yoshi's untimely death: I am very sorry to hear of Yoshi's premature passing. He was the cornerstone of ISFA. A great tragedy. Yoshi was a consummate professional, dedicated to ISFA. In June 2023, at ISFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany, I was appointed President of ISFA. I pledged to work together with Yoshi and to advance our society's mission. At that moment, I had no idea it would be the last time I saw him. Tragically, less than 2 months later, he passed away. Both ISFA and JSFA, to which Prof. Endo contributed significantly, will continue to honor his legacy. We are united in our commitment to advance the development of these societies in line with his vision. In closing, I extend my heartfelt condolences and respect for Prof. Endo, dedicating this tribute to his memory. The author declares no conflicts of interest.