| Armed Services Blood Program Newsletter |
August 11, 2010 | |
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From the Desk of:
COL Francisco Rentas, Director, ASBPO | |
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In this month's Focal Point we highlight some of the far ranging activities undertaken by Armed Services Blood Program professionals around the globe. From our activities throughout the Pacific as part of the U.S. AIDS relief mission, to a new blood management tool that helps us share blood products quickly and efficiently, we are proud to be a part of our nation's healthcare both here at home and abroad.
Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's workshop at the upcoming AABB annual meeting in Baltimore as we have the Army Surgeon General, LTG Eric Schoomaker opening our session.
Warm regards,
COL Francisco Rentas |
ASBP Debuts Blood Management Tool
 The Armed Services Blood Program recently deployed a new blood management tool for blood donor centers and transfusions services to enhance the distribution of blood and blood products. An Army Blood Program initiative, this tool opens the door for distributing surplus blood products to all military transfusion services where surplus product has a better chance of being utilized. Designed, developed, and fielded by the program's Deputy Director Lt. Col. Kenneth Davis, assisted by Jason Vaughan, a web developer with Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute.
Photo: The blood management tool was designed, developed, and fielded by Army Blood Program Deputy Director Lt. Col. Kenneth Davis (shown) and assisted by Jason Vaughan, a web developer with Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute. |
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The ASBP: Supporting the PEPFAR Mission
 The Armed Services Blood Program actively participates in PEPFAR (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) missions to assist in disease prevention programs worldwide. This summer, blood bank officers from U.S. Pacific Command traveled to Southeast Asia to train blood bankers and medical staff in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos on topics such as blood testing, quality assurance and validation. Best practices in blood banking were also shared between nations to ensure the safety of blood products for both donors and recipients. For more information, please visit the PEPFAR official website.
Photo: Military and civilian participants complete blood testing competencies at the Luang Prabang blood bank testing technical workshop in Luang Prabang City, Laos. |
Communications Company Headquarters Battalion Summer Blood Drive a Success
 Sgt. Eric Justus, volunteer coordinator for the battalion learned about the blood program when he donated blood earlier in the year at the Marine Corps Family Team Building blood drive. "I am motivated to support our deployed service men and women, especially those in Afghanistan" notes Justus. After his first donation to the blood program, Justus was inspired to coordinate a blood drive to give Marines and sailors the opportunity to donate.
Justus adds, "I saw this as a stepping stone for Marines and sailors who have never donated. My hope was to get them interested in helping others. I think it was a success because Marines who have never shown any interest in donating are now asking what they can do,"said Justus.
Photo:Unit members from the Communications Company Headquarters Battalion enthusiastically give blood at the 33 Area Camp Margarita, Calif. on July 14, 2010. |
| 2010 AABB Conference is just around the corner
The Armed Services Blood Program's workshop at the upcoming AABB annual Meeting in Baltimore this year will be headlined by LTG Eric Schoomaker, the Army Surgeon General and Commander of U.S. Army Medical Command. LTG Schoomaker will discuss the role of transfusion medicine in battlefield trauma care and highlight areas of advancement that have resulted in reduced casualty rates. We look forward to seeing you there!
The yearly meeting hosted by the AABB will be held from October 9-12, 2010 with the military blood program workshop scheduled for October 9 from 2:00pm-5:30pm.
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