| Armed Services Blood Program Newsletter |
Nov. 8, 2011 | |
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From the Desk of:
COL Francisco Rentas, Director, ASBPO
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The holiday season is right around the corner, and here at the military blood program we kick it off with Veterans Day, November 11--a day to honor all who have served. We are humbled by the brave men and women who have gone before us, and whose selfless service to our country inspires everyone in this great nation. My personal thanks to you and your families.
As many of you know, the ASBP attended the AABB annual conference in San Diego recently, where we learned from and shared our expertise with the world's leading blood bank scientists. I was honored, while there, to present this year's Lifetime Achievement Award to two of military blood banking's finest, who will be featured along with their predecessors on a special section of our website reserved for honorees. We also bid a fond farewell to our Deputy Director for Policy, Lt. Cmdr. Corey Jenkins, whose career in military blood banking has shaped the program in such a positive way. In addition, the military blood program was privileged to tour the USNS Mercy, docked in San Diego, where, as you can see in our Picture This below, we left a little bit of us with them.
Finally, it was my privilege to meet Jim and Linda Parker as they wrapped up their two-year project of compassion. They have now donated blood at every single military blood donor center here in the United States. Let's look to their example as we approach this wonderful time of year and remember that this simple gift can make the ultimate difference for injured service members, veterans and their families.
Warm regards,
COL Francisco Rentas
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Honoring All Who Served
Every year, in early November, the country celebrates and honors all the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. According to the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, on June 1, 1954, the holiday originally known as Armistice Day would become "a day to honor American veterans of all wars." 
In honor of the holiday, we're highlighting one of our favorite stories about a very dedicated veteran. He served his country in the military and in retirement, and continues to serve by regularly donating platelets at the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center, N.C.
The Flag Means ...
Retired Navy Cmdr. Patrick "Mac" McCarthy enlisted in the Navy in 1969, beginning a career that would continue for more than three decades. He traveled and lived extensively around the world, so he is no stranger to several of the Armed Services Blood Program blood donor centers. In 1989, he was introduced to the platelet donation program at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Va., where he donated while on active duty and in retirement. He also donated at Armed Services Blood Bank Center, National Capital Area, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., before moving to Fayetteville, N.C., in 2006. Once in North Carolina, McCarthy began donating with the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center, where he continues to donate today.
Recently, the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center proudly accepted a hand-knotted American flag from McCarty. The flag's 5,200 individual knots represent McCarthy's dedication to those who serve in the military as well as the selfless service he continually demonstrates today as one of the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center's top platelet donors for the past five years.
Read the entire story on the ASBP website.
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Meet Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees On Our Website!
 Each year, the Armed Services Blood Program recognizes an individual who has dedicated their career to the military blood program. We recently announced this year's honorees at the annual AABB meeting in San Diego, Calif. And now, we are pleased to launch our very own Lifetime Achievement Award page on our website.
To date, we have recognized several individuals who have selflessly dedicated themselves to the Armed Services Blood Program and the ill or injured service members, veterans and their families worldwide. Their careers have shaped the military blood program and saved countless lives. Their dedication is unparalleled, and we are truly grateful for their service.
To learn more about our Lifetime Achievement Award recipients, please visit us here.
Photo: This year, the Armed Services Blood Program recognized retired Air Force Col. James J. Berger, BSC (left) and retired Army Col. James E. Spiker, Jr., MSC (right).
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ASBP Deputy Director for Policy, Lt. Commander Jenkins, Heads to North Carolina
Falls Church, Va., Nov. 7, 2011--This month, we bid a fond farewell to Armed Services Blood Program Deputy Director for Policy Lt. Cmdr. Corey Jenkins. He will continue his military blood banking career as he moves south to North Carolina to serve as the department head for the Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Blood Donor Center and the assistant director of the Directorate for Clinical Support Services.
"Lt. Cmdr. Jenkins has played a vital role here at the Armed Services Blood Program Office," said Col. Francisco Rentas, Armed Services Blood Program director. "His hard work, great attitude and dedication to the military blood program will be greatly missed in the office, but we are delighted that he has found a new home at Camp Lejeune. I am confident that he will continue to positively shape the military blood program in his new position."
Read the entire press release on the ASBP website.
Photo: Armed Services Blood Program Office Director Col. Francisco Rentas (left) and Deputy Director for Policy Lt. Cmdr. Corey Jenkins (right).
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The Adventures of Jim and Linda Come To a Close
In 2008, while donating blood at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, Jim and Linda Parker decided to take it upon themselves to raise awareness of the Armed Services Blood Program's mission. They challenged themselves to donate blood at each of the Armed Services Blood Program blood donor centers around the country. Just recently, Jim and Linda completed their long journey. (Read about their latest trip here).
Photo: After visiting the blood donor center in Bethesda, Md., Jim and Linda Parker stopped by the Armed Services Blood Program Office for a quick visit with Armed Services Blood Program Director Army Col. Francisco Rentas.
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No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month!
Recently, several players from Maryland's beloved professional football team, the Baltimore Ravens, arrived at Fort Meade, Md., to show their support for the Armed Services Blood Program. Nose tackle Terrance Cody, defensive end Arthur Jones and rookie wide receiver Tandon Doss signed autographs, posed for pictures and spoke with blood donors, service members and employees.
"You know what we do is play a game, and anything we can do to put smiles on these people's faces is huge. What [service members] do is bigger than life," said Jones. "It is a great event and hopefully, I can continue giving back."
Doss said he was glad he could attend the drive to "give back to our troops and show appreciation for them and everything that they do."
Read the entire story on the ASBP website.
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Photo: An Armed Services Blood Program blood donor (right) smiles for a picture with Baltimore Ravens rookie wide receiver Tandon Doss (left) during a blood drive at Fort Meade, Md.
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Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
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Last month, the Armed Services Blood Program had the opportunity to tour the USNS Mercy as it was docked in San Diego, Calif. While there, Col. Francisco Rentas, director of the Armed Services Blood Program Office, left a gift for the blood bank area of the ship. Thank you to everyone on the USNS Mercy who made the tour fantastic!
Photo: Armed Services Blood Program Director Col. Francisco Rentas (right) visits the USNS Mercy while in San Diego, Calif.
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