From the Desk of:   

COL Francisco Rentas, Director, ASBPO

ASBP Announces 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners 

Falls Church, Va., Oct. 4, 2011--The Armed Services Blood Program announces this year's Lifetime Achievement award recipients: retired Army Col. James E. Spiker, Jr., MSC and retired Air Force Col. James J. Berger, BSC.  These men worked tirelessly to advance blood banking in the military with lifetime accomplishments that exemplify the spirit of the honor.

"This year's honorees are truly deserving of this award," said Col. Francisco Rentas, director of the Armed Services Blood Program Office. "Through their accomplishments the military blood program has grown significantly and in ways that have shaped the future of our program.  Their professionalism and dedication to blood banking, and therefore to service members worldwide in need of blood, is unparalleled. I am honored to bestow these two individuals with this year's Lifetime Achievement Award."

Read the entire press release on the ASBP website.     

Focus on What You CAN Do!               

In 1980, Richard Wells broke his neck while diving in shallow water causing him to be paralyzed from the neck down for more than a year. Wells subsequently recovered slightly, going from a quadriplegic to an incomplete quadriplegic. Although he still does not have the full use of his hands, arms or legs, with the use of crutches, Wells manages to do what he wants--like donate blood.

"Here is a man that could be bitter about his state in life, but is not," said Lt. Col. Brian Woolshleger, blood coordinator at Fort Meade, Md. "In spite of his condition, he willingly chose to help those less fortunate and to give blood."

When Woolshleger took over as the blood coordinator at Fort Meade in October 2010, he was eagerly looking for ways to increase awareness of the military blood program.  That's when he met Wells, a human resources technician in the student records department at Fort Meade.  Each day, Wells said he would walk past a list of appointments for upcoming blood drives hanging on Woolshelger's door, curious as to why there weren't more appointments being made.

"To me, it was just so sad to see that there weren't that many appointments being made for these blood drives, so I decided to make one," said Wells. 

Read the entire story on the ASBP website.    

Photo: Richard Wells does not let his incomplete quadriplegia stop him from donating blood at Fort Meade, Md.  "I really focus on the things I can do, and not the things I can't," he said. 

We Want to Make Sure You Keep Hearing From Us  

Recently, we noticed that some of our subscribers were not receiving their monthly issue of The Focal Point, and we want to make sure that you aren't left out! Each month, we distribute our newsletter to keep you informed about military blood program news, share our donor's stories, and so much more!  It is important to us that you receive a copy if you want one, so here is your chance to let us know how we can help.

To make sure you aren't one of the ones left out, please check to make sure your mailbox has not reached its capacity or that you do not have an out of office or vacation automated reply in effect. If those options aren't the problem or your email address has changed since you  first subscribed, please email Jessica Overbeck at jessica.n.overbeck@lmco.com so we can be sure we have your correct contact information.   

For those who read the newsletter online but do not get the emails sent directly to their Inbox, signing up is easy!  Just visit us here, enter your email address in the "Subscribe to our eNewsletter" box on the left side of the screen and click "Join."  Your email address will be automatically added to our distribution list and it won't be long before you begin to receive your own copy of the Focal Point each month!  And while you wait for our next great issue to come out, catch up on issues you might have missed here.    

There are other ways to keep up-to-date on the latest ASBP news, too!  Visit our Facebook, Twitter or YouTube pages to get even more information about the great accomplishments of the military blood program.   

No Uniform Required 

The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month!   

When Alan VanBruggen was 16 years old he knew what he wanted to be when he was older-a military blood donor.  On Sept. 6, 2011, he turned 17, and he celebrated by donating blood at the Robertson Blood Center, Fort Hood, Texas. But he hoped he wouldn't do it alone.  This young blood donor invited his eligible friends-wherever they were-to do the same.

He was inspired by his mother, Margaret VanBruggen, and father, Staff Sgt. Brian VanBruggen, who serves at Fort Hood, Texas.  Margaret VanBruggen is the mayor the Chaffee Village at Fort Hood, a volunteer position that consumes many hours of her week. For the last three years she found time to sponsor village-wide blood drives at the Robertson Blood Center, collecting donations that are shipped to the frontlines of the fights in Iraq and Afghanistan.  She was often accompanied by her son. (Read more about the VanBruggen's here.)

"We've been talking about it for a year," said Margaret VanBruggen.  After a few discussions, she and her son came up with the challenge idea.  

Read the entire article on the ASBP website.

Photo: Alan VanBruggen, who turned 17 years old last month, celebrated his birthday by donating blood at the Robertson Blood Center, Fort Hood, Texas-and he invited his friends to join him.       

Picture This!

The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month

Giving Back Becomes a Family Affair