| Armed Services Blood Program Newsletter |
May 11, 2010 | |
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From the Desk of:
COL Francisco Rentas, Director, ASBPO | |
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In this month's newsletter, we update you on two very important issues, how the national blood community is assisting in the efforts to aid Haiti, and the latest findings on the Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV).
You will also read about the changes and Spring renovations that are bringing new life into the Fort Hood Robertson Blood Center. Along with Fort Hood we highlight the Fort Benning Blood Donor Center and their specific missions and most recent blood drive.
In observance of Memorial Day, the ASBP honors the fallen men and women who so valiantly served their country, for which we will always remember. The ASBP would also like to recognize Armed Services Day, May 15th, in which we will highlight some of the special events that took place to honor our armed forces in the upcoming June newsletter. You won't want to miss it!
Warm regards,
COL Francisco Rentas |
 Blood Community Steps in to Help Haitian Earthquake Survivors
A helicopter would touch down on the ship, dropping off two or three blank-faced patients. Once it landed, staff onboard the ship would quickly unload and greet the evacuees before another helicopter flew in eight minutes later, carrying more seriously wounded people.
In the first few weeks after the Haiti earthquake, this constant stream of survivors coming on the USNS Comfort, a U.S. Navy comprehensive medical ship, lasted "from sunup to sundown," said Sean Hussey, MD, director of the blood bank on the Comfort, which was docked outside Haiti from late January to late March.
Read more at http://militaryblood.dod.mil
Photo: US Navy personnel load Armed Services Blood Program blood units on to the USNS Comfort during its relief mission in Haiti.
This article was written by AABB staff writer Elissa Fuchs. It was first published online at http://www.aabb.org/ |
Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Related Virus (XMRV) Fact Sheet Available
AABB's Transfusion Transmitted Diseases Committee has updated its fact sheet on Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-related Virus to include references to additional studies that have been published and comments from the AABB XMRV Task Force. In addition, clarifications have been made to the content of sections on screening questions and donor deferral.
Read the entire fact sheet by visiting the AABB's website. |
Signs of Spring at Fort Hood's Robertson Blood Center
Some places are painted with the colors of new flora and fauna each spring. In others, rain and wind usher in the month of March and renew April with warm breezes and fresh scents. Central Texas often abounds in new growth, sharp rain showers, and strong wind gusts. At the Robertson Blood Center (RBC) at Fort Hood, this year there are the sights and sounds of major construction and the excitement of new challenges and creative training. The blood donor center, once the Army's main testing point for donated blood is on the leading edge of the Armed Services Blood Program's transformation.
The transformation began with a transition to commercial testing. Outsourcing blood donor testing is projected to save the Department of the Army over $2.3M in 2010. With the closure of the testing mission, the center took on two new missions: frozen blood, and platelet apheresis. This means that units at Ft. Hood will be able to train in several areas to include: whole blood collections, frozen blood deglycerolization and platelet apheresis at the donor center; cross matching at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center's (CRDAMC) Transfusion Services; and, field training with the 932nd Blood Supply Detachment. This will transform Robertson Blood Center into a hub for the Army's frozen blood program and make it the focal point for pre-deployment blood bank training.
Another major enhancement that the outsourcing of blood donor testing will have on the center, is that it will allow the Armed Services Blood Program to deliver blood products to battlefields much faster. Army Blood Program Officer, Colonel Ronny Fryar, is former director of the Robertson Blood Center and was instrumental in the development of the transformation mission. According to Colonel Fryar, "With streamlining and process improvements in lot release, and quicker turn-around times on donor testing results from outsourcing, the Army Blood Program is getting greater than 90% of all red blood cells to the east coast distribution hub (ASWBPL-East) in 4 days or less. This is a major accomplishment in getting fresher blood to theater."
Once completed, the center will have expanded the mission from collecting and testing to collecting whole blood and apheresis products; processing products collected at both Fort Hood and Fort Leonard Wood; storing and maintaining a large inventory of frozen blood; and training military laboratory technicians on the latest deployable equipment. In the words of Colonel Fryar, "Everything that a unit could need to train prior to deployment would eventually be found at Ft. Hood."
Photo: Members of the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center color guard drill in the parking lot of the Robertson Blood Center at Fort Hood, Texas on April 13, 2010. |
Spotlight on Fort Benning Blood Donor Center  The Fort Benning Blood Donor Center located near Columbus, GA is responsible for the collection and manufacturing of safe and efficacious blood products from eligible Department of Defense (DoD) blood donors. This includes the handling and maintenance of blood products under optimal storage conditions and the provisions of blood products to the Armed Services Blood Processing Laboratory in support of OIF, OEF Missions.
Fort Benning's secondary missions include training DoD personnel in blood component therapy techniques and procedures, and maintenance of mobilization/contingency capability for expansion of blood collection, processing, and testing.
Fort Benning had a successful blood drive early last month. The event was complete with festivities and friendly competition between Bravo Company Bulldogs and the Alpha Company Gators. To read more about the April 5th blood drive, go to http://militaryblood.dod.mil/.
To make an appointment please call SGT Catherine Tharpe at (706) 544-9427. You can become a fan of Fort Benning Blood Donor Center on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com.
Photo:1SG Martyn Pauwels holds the "Give a Pint and Get a Star Spirit" board at the April 5 blood drive. |
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