| Armed Services Blood Program Newsletter |
April 10, 2012 | |
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From the Desk of:
COL Francisco Rentas, Director, ASBPO
 In this issue, we introduce you to another great way to keep up-to-date on the Armed Services Blood Program, meet a group of high school students making a difference in Germany, and share our thoughts on how to save lives this spring. We introduce our Industry News section including some recent news from around the blood banking community, and we tell you how one soldier "liked" organizing a blood drive. And last but not least, we finish it off with a gorilla and a blood drop teaming up at the Pentagon.
It's definitely an interesting issue, so read on to learn more! And as always, thank you to our incredible donors, volunteers and supporters who make a difference in the lives of service members, veterans and their family members worldwide.
Warm regards,
COL Francisco Rentas
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New Photo Gallery Cherishes Images of Donors
 You've liked us on Facebook. You've followed us on Twitter. You've watched our YouTube channel videos. Now, we have one more way for you to keep up-to-date on all things Armed Services Blood Program. That's right; we are now on Flickr, which means you are just a few clicks away from all your favorite military blood program photos.
The Armed Services Blood Program Office recently initiated the photo gallery to cherish all the smiles of those who volunteer for, support and donate blood to our service members, veterans and their families around the world. A social media tool, Flickr is an online photo journal, video management and sharing application, as well as an enduring archival system. It organizes and manages photos for customer-friendly usage--including captions and titles for all photos.
Read the entire article on the ASBP website.
View our Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/militaryblood
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No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month
 Recently, the Armed Services Blood Bank Center--Europe conducted a blood drive at the Patch American High School in Stuttgart, Germany. It was the first blood drive conducted at the school in many years, and it was a great success.
Emma Murray, a senior and a member of the National Honor Society, had the idea of conducting a blood drive at the high school. She presented the idea to the honor society, and then the plan was underway. The group saw this as an opportunity to reach out to the local community and to help those in our military community that are in need of lifesaving blood. With the support of faculty, a suitable date was selected and the blood drive was coordinated with the ASBBC-E.
Leading up to the drive, the students advertised the blood drive and recruited community members to donate. "We were able to go out in the community and ask people to come and support our blood drive as well as serve those who came out by giving out baked goods and juice boxes," said Jenna Smallwood, a National Honor Society member. "It's a great way to give back to our soldiers and their families."
Read the entire article on the ASBP website.
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Photo: (From left to right) Patch American High School students Jenna Smallwood, Joshua Comachoa, Chris Brown and Maddie Krause pose for a picture in their Armed Services Blood Program smocks. The four National Honor Society Students teamed up with several other students to support the military blood program blood drive at their school. (Photo by: Joshua Comachoa, Patch High School student)
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Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
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 Need a break from spring cleaning? Donate platelets! Although the platelet donation process takes longer than a whole blood donation--about two hours from start to finish--a single donation of platelets is roughly equivalent to the number of platelets in six whole blood donations. Not to mention, donating platelets is actually a great way to kick back and relax. You can watch a movie or read your favorite book while the donation process takes place. It's the perfect time to unwind!
Spring has sprung! Now it's time to spring into action!
If you meet the whole blood donation criteria, chances are you'll be able to donate platelets as well. Learn more by visiting the About Platelets section on our website.
Ready to schedule your donation? Visit us here.
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Industry News
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A Transportable Pathogen Reduction System for Treatment of Whole Blood
Dr. Raymond Goodrich and his research group aim to develop a portable disposable device for pathogen reduction in fresh whole blood which will minimize the risk of infectious disease transmission as well as potential adverse immunological affects of bypassing leukoreduction. (Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Department of Defense | March 15, 2012)
HTLV Blood Screening Test from RTP Diagnostics frim Avioq Gets FDA OK
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new test for blood donations, just the second test available to screen for two viruses linked to leukemia and neurologic disorders. (Frank Vinluan, MEDCITY Research Triangle | March 28, 2012)
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"Liking" Blood Challenges in Illinois
 Recently a soldier from the 801st Alpha Co., Combat Support Hospital at Fort Sheridan, Ill., stepped up to take on a new task. Undaunted by the challenges that lie ahead, Sgt. Daniel Pettibone had the idea that many more prospective blood donors could be reached by announcing the upcoming Armed Services Blood Drive in the Alpha Company newsletter. It worked--many showed up to donate--and this was only the beginning of a well-designed communications and recruitment plan.
Pettibone was identified as the youngest Active Guard reservist in his unit by Capt. Sabrina King, commander of Fort Sheridan. This title correctly identified him as the one most able to set up a social media site for his command and to expand the marketing for another upcoming blood drive. This next drive wasn't JUST another drive though; this was a Blood Drive Challenge for the Armed Services Blood Program between Fort Sheridan and the Marine Air Control Group-48 in Great Lakes, Ill.
Read the entire article on the ASBP website.
Photo: Jeff Diffy (left, front), Armed Services Blood Program blood donor recruiter, presents Sgt. Daniel Pettibone (right, front) with the Blood Collection Challenge trophy. Pettibone established an integrated effort for Fort Sheridan, Ill., with prospective blood donors. His efforts enabled the Army to take first honors in the Blood Collection Challenge between Fort Sheridan, Ill., and local Marines.
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A Gorilla and a Blood Drop: The Perfect Match?
 What happens when a giant, walking blood drop and a life-size gorilla stop by the Pentagon Blood Donor Center? People take notice. And that's exactly what happened when the mascots from the Armed Services Blood Program and the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy teamed up with Erica Brefka, foreign affairs specialist, and took to the halls of the Pentagon to promote an Armed Services Blood Program blood drive.
"I've seen a lot of things," said retired Navy Cmdr. Harold Cornelius, a long-time platelet donor for the Armed Services Blood Program. "But I never expected to see a gorilla with a giant blood drop in a blood donor center." Cornelius said he continually donates platelets because of the satisfaction in helping others-especially at no personal cost.
Read the entire article on the ASBP website.
Photo: The Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy mascot, the Policy Gorilla, and the Armed Services Blood Program mascot, Buddy the blood drop, make the perfect match. The two mascots supported a blood drive at the Pentagon Blood Donor Center.
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