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From the Desk of:
Col. Richard H. McBride, Director, ASBPO
 In this issue of Focal Point, we go behind-the-scenes at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and Blood Donor Processing Division, Lovell Federal Health Care Center in Great Lakes, Ill. We take a moment to remember a dedicated military blood banker -- Navy Capt. Jean Scherrer. Her efforts undoubtedly saved lives. She will be greatly missed. We also feature Johnny Carter, who celebrated his birthday by donating platelets for our military and their families. As a Father's Day salute, we share a photo from the Armed Services Blood Bank Center in Okinawa, Japan. I leave you with this thought: Wounded warriors going home to their loved ones starts with you -- donors, staff and supporters -- who make sure the blood is there, every single day. Thank You, Col. Richard H. McBride |
'It Starts With You'
 Do you know what is the maximum number of blood units transfused to a wounded warrior?
Find the answer on the ASBP website.
Image: Karen James, a medical laboratory technician at the ASBBC, speaks with McBride as she processes units of blood.
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ASBP Remembers Capt. Jean T. Scherrer
 Navy Capt. (Ret.) Jean T. Scherrer passed away May 4, 2013, having defied cancer for more than a decade. During her career as a Medical Technologist and Specialist in Blood Banking, Scherrer was stationed at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Naval Hospital Cherry Point, Walter Reed Army Blood Bank Fellowship, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Navy Medicine Manpower, Personnel Education and Training Command in Bethesda, and ended her career back at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth as Assistant Director of Clinical Support Services.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Les Riggs, the Armed Services Blood Program's deputy director of policy, considers Scherrer a blood-bank-mentor and served with her at the Naval Medical Center Portsmouth from April 2010 to May 2012. "She was a tough but fair leader who took care of her people, got things done, and was a consistent model of leadership for her juniors and peers alike," said Riggs. "A selfless leader, she always put the needs of the Navy and her staff before herself. Leaders like her are few and far between and she will be missed by those who had the privilege to serve with her. I know I will." |
No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month
 You are invited to Johnny Carter's 27th platelet donation and birthday surprise at the ASBP website. Image: After donating platelets to the Armed Services Blood Program, Johnny Carter enjoys a cupcake for his birthday.
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Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
A father and son team up to support their fellow service members and their families at the Armed Services Blood Bank Center in Okinawa, Japan. Check out ASBBC's "Why I Donate" campaign at their Facebook page.
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Checkin' in with the:
Blood Donor Processing Division, Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Great Lakes, Ill.
For every unit of blood that is collected, ASBP blood donor centers all over the world work to make sure the blood is there.
Meet some of the men and women doing their part to save lives at the ASBP website. |
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Industry News
HHS Advisory Committee Tracks Blood Product Availability in the U.S.
Industry representatives and interested members of the public attended the Advisory on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability Committee. Find out what the status of blood product availability is for the United States on the ASBP website.
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Members from the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., sponsor an Armed Services Blood Program blood drive and prove that a "little bit of blood goes a long way."
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