From the Desk Of:
Col. Richard H. McBride, Director, ASBPO
We have a lot going on this month! We start off by introducing you to the ASBP Retiree Association and how its members continue to help ensure that blood is there for our military members, veterans and their families. We feature the work done at the annual U.S. Air Force Academy blood drive. We check in on the first of several blood drives at the U.S. Naval Academy and send out a big thank you to the U.S. Pacific Command and the Navy Blood Program for their work on a Blood Safety Workshop conducted in Laos. In our No Uniform Required section, we feature an ASBP apheresis technician who just completed his 100th platelet donation. Lastly, we want you to meet a World War II veteran who shared his story at the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center's open house.
Also in this issue, we unveil our newest monthly section -- "Blood Knights" Roundtable -- based on a newsletter from the 932nd Blood Support Detachment in Afghanistan. In this section, members of the detachment share their personal stories and updates from their deployment.
The winter months are right around the corner. That means it's time to start thinking about how you can help ill or injured service members and their families have the best holiday season possible. Join Our Family This Holiday; Give Blood. It is the best gift you can give.
Thanks,
Col. Richard H. McBride
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ASBP Retiree Association Celebrates One-Year  Anniversary
The Armed Services Blood Program Retiree Association celebrates its one-year anniversary Nov. 16. Find out more on the ASBP website. |
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Air Force Academy Cadets Contribute
 The United States Air Force Academy sponsored its 11th annual ASBP blood drive in September. Find out how it went. |
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Blood Safety Workshop Conducted in Laos
 Last month, the U.S. Pacific Command Joint Blood Program Office and the Navy Blood Program took part in a four-day Blood Safety Workshop for the Lao Red Cross and the Lao People's Army. Find out more. |
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No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month
 Rafael Delgado, an apheresis technician at the Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Pacific Northwest, just had a very big day and joined an elite group of donors. Find out what he accomplished. |
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Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
 World War II veteran, William Gilliam, stopped by the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center Open House ceremony Oct. 9. In this picture, he shares his story (and a laugh) with Capt. Paul Ambrose, officer-in-charge of the blood donor center. "I really enjoyed our chats over the phone and I think it was good for him to know that he is not forgotten," Ambrose said. "He was happy to be part our ceremony and I think it means so much for our veterans to let them know we never forget." Read more of Gilliam's story. |
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About the ASBP
The ASBP plays a key role in providing quality blood products for service members, veterans and their families in both peace and war. As a tri-service organization, the ASBP has many components working together to collect, process and store, distribute and transfuse blood worldwide. Learn more on the ASBP website.
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Checkin' in with the:
Armed Services Blood Bank Center, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
Monthly blood drives at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., have begun and will last until April 2014. At the first blood drive, more than 1,500 midshipmen were introduced to the ASBP. See what else the Naval Academy has in store. |
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"Blood Knights" Roundtable
Message from the 1st Sgt., Blood Knight 7
"As we conclude our third month in country, we continue to strive for excellence. Our soldiers are improving themselves by taking college classes, enrolling in correspondence courses, attending Soldier Boards and improving their physical fitness. I am proud of all our soldiers as they all contribute in their own unique way to the unit and the morale of their peers. The time here in Afghanistan seems to be moving fairly quickly but any time away from loved ones is still too long. I ask that you stay in as much contact as possible with our soldiers over the holiday season. The reason our soldiers do extremely well is due to the love and understanding given by family and friends back home. ... Happy Holidays to all."
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Featured Video
A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point flew approximately 1,036 miles to airdrop a container of life-saving blood to a cruise ship northeast of the Hawaiian islands Oct. 6, 2013. Personnel aboard the cruise ship Oosterdam contacted the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance for an ailing passenger. (U.S. Coast Guard video.)
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Industry News
New Tech Section Launches on ASBP Website
This month, we launched a new ASBP Tech section on our website where you can find all the cool things our military blood banking world does behind the scenes. |
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Pins and Pints
The ASBP Focal Point pin of the month
November is Pomegranate Month! Here's a shout-out to this super-fruit. Full of antioxidants and other "oh-so-good-for-you" vitamins, eating pomegranates is a great way to keep your body healthy and ready to donate blood (even when it comes in chocolate form).
Get more ideas on the ASBP Pinterest page.
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