Issue No. 51
Sept. 27, 2012
From the Desk of:
Col. Richard H. McBride, Director, ASBPO

It isn't easy to follow in the footsteps of a leader like Col. Frank Rentas, but I am very proud to take on the role of the Armed Services Blood Program director. I truly believe in the military blood program's mission, and I will work hard to ensure that we continue to make lifesaving blood products and services available to our military members, veterans and their families worldwide.

In this issue of Focal Point, we announce our 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, pay tribute to one of the blood program's great inspirations, and share some of our favorite stories, videos and pictures from the month.

Best regards,
Col. Richard H. McBride
ASBP Announces 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 

Falls Church, Va., Sept. 18, 2012--The 2012 Armed Services Blood Program Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously honors Army Col. Frank R. Camp. Like past honorees, Camp's distinguished Army career has had a long-lasting impact on the military blood program. "He was a military blood banker who was way ahead of his time," said retired Navy Commander and University of Florida (College of Medicine) professor Patrick Monaghan, the 2010 recipient of the award. "His abilities and foresight put military blood banking on the radar screen for everyone."

 

Read the entire press release on the ASBP website.

 

Photo: Col. Frank Camp, the father of the Armed Services Blood Program Fellowship Program, teaches the 1972 fellowship class in immunology and genetics.
Remembering a Blood Banking Visionary: Maj. Larry C. Feltz       

An inspiration and friend to team members of the Armed Services Blood Program worldwide, retired Army Maj. Larry C. Feltz, recently passed away.

 

"Larry was a dynamo of energy and my predecessor at the European Command," said retired Col. Mike Fitzpatrick, former blood program officer of the European Command and the director of the Armed Services Blood Program from 1999 to 2003. "He was indeed dedicated to his family and our country."

 

Feltz spent 20 years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, serving as one of the directors of the original Armed Services Blood Bank Center at Fort Ord, Calif., and as the blood program manager for the European Command.

 

Read the entire story on the ASBP website.

 

Photo: Mr. Larry Feltz, a true friend and inspiration to many in the military blood banking community.
USS Nimitz Sponsors Pier-Side Blood Drive 
 

As the 2012 Rim of the Pacific exercises came to a close, 22 nations, 42 ships, six submarines, 200 air crafts and 25,000 personnel said "aloha!" to the Hawaiian Islands. But before one of these ships, the USS Nimitz, was underway to continue their busy operational schedule, they welcomed aboard staff members from the Tripler Blood Donor Center for their first Armed Services Blood Program blood drive!   

 

Read the entire article on the ASBP website

  

Photo: USS Nimitz members take time out of their busy operational schedules to donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program.

No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month 

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, has many great services that support the community and the mission. Two of those services�-the Wright-Patterson Blood Donor Center and the Civilian Health Promotions Services-recently teamed up to help save lives.

 

Read the entire article on the ASBP website.

 

Image: Defense Contract Management Agency employee Dan Ernst gives a thumbs up as Airman 1st Class Brenton Nix completes his phlebotomy before sending him over to have his free health screening.
Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month

The Armed Services Blood Program is always on the lookout for blood donors of all types. However, you don't have to be able to donate to support a military blood drive near you. For example, these delicious red velvet cupcakes would be an awesome treat for donors who have just completed their donation!  Bring these, and you will certainly be the star of the blood drive! 

For more ways to support the ASBP, visit us here.
In This Issue
Director's Message
ASBP Announces 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Remembering a Blood Banking Visionary: Maj. Larry C. Feltz
USS Nimitz Sponsors Pier-Side Blood Drive
No Uniform Required: Civilian Health Promotions Services
Picture This: Red Velvet Cupcakes
Checkin' in with the:
Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Pacific Northwest

 

The Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Pacific Northwest is always looking for volunteers to donate blood. But recently, it was the ASBBC-PNW that did some donating, and it was not blood.

 

On Aug. 10 and 11, a team effort was made by the staff of the ASBBC-PNW and the Department of Preventative Medicine to help the community through an organization called Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful, an Associated Ministries program.  

 

Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful out of Tacoma, Wash., organizes volunteer crews to paint and make minor repairs to homes belonging to low-income senior and disabled homeowners. All the work is done by volunteer crews from churches, service clubs, businesses, unions and government offices. The ASBBC-PNW staff helped paint the home of a low-income senior in the community. People qualifying for the services of this program meet federal low-income guidelines.

 

"This is the best crew of volunteers I have ever had," said Greg Newkirk, director of Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful. "If I had this crew on other projects I would be able to get so much more accomplished."

Due to medical problems Christine Lezobrak had not been able to keep her yards, full of plants and surrounded by trees, trimmed and manicured.  It was so overgrown that the house could not be seen from the street.
     

 

Read the entire story on the ASBP website.
Sailors Donate Blood in San Diego During Mobile Blood Drive 
ASBP Featured Video
   Sailors donate blood during a mobile blood drive conducted by the Naval Medical Center San Diego. Thanks to Navy.mil for the wonderful video! 

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