Warm winter greetings!

 

You may remember a recent story we shared of Corporal Mark Fidler, a young Marine wounded in combat while serving in Afghanistan. His mother, Ms. Stacy Fidler shared her son's experience and the role that blood played in his recovery, during our recent celebration to honor donors. It is my pleasure to bring to you this captivating presentation in its entirety.

 

In this issue, you'll also read about our annual West Point blood drive, a fantastic success. We then check in with the ASBBC in Okinawa, Japan, and the Expeditionary Blood Transshipment Center in Afghanistan.

 

2014 is off to a great start. Keep up the great work.

 

Thanks,
Col. Richard H. McBride

Stacy Filder tells the story of her son, U.S. Marine Cpl. Mark Fidler, who was injured by a roadside bomb while deployed in Iraq. Donated blood helped save his life. Now, we have the pleasure of bringing you the video of his story, lovingly and beautifully told by his mother. For more videos, check out our YouTube channel.

The ASBP's annual U.S. Military Academy blood drive was a huge success, yet again. This year, more than 1,800 units of blood were collected for ill or injured service members, veterans and their families worldwide. Read more or see more photos.

The Lackland Blood Donor Center conducts its first blood drive with the family members of the basic military trainees on the installation.
Learn more.

 

Last month, the Expeditionary Blood Transshipment Center was named the Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron team of the month by the 379th Expeditionary Medical Support Squadron. According to Army Lt. Col. Audra L. Taylor, director of the Joint Theater Blood Program (Forward), U.S. Central Command, the BTC was responsible for the receipt, storage and distribution of vital blood and blood products to designated locations within the theater from Jan. 9-15. Theater levels were maintained and the available blood products supported required transfusions for both Afghani war fighters and U.S. service members.

 

"Air Force Maj. Duong and his team have done a trem

endous job in support of CENTCOM and the Armed Services Blood Program. In just a short amount of time, the team has initiated numerous process improvement projects and maintained a steady focus on mission support," said Taylor. "They are a great asset to the blood distribution system within this area of operation and vital to the quality patient care provided at our medical treatment facilities!"

 

Congratulations to the entire BTC team for a job well done! 

 

In this photo, Air Force Senior Airman Matthew Thomas loads packaged blood onto a pallet for shipment.

               

U.S. Pacific Command's Armed Services Blood Bank Center, located on Camp Lester, will hold weekly blood drives throughout Okinawa in preparation for Exercise Cobra Gold 2014. Learn more.

The AABB Board of Directors has approved a new Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) risk mitigation standard to be implemented by the industry April 1. This AABB bulletin provides recommendations for the blood banking industry on methods to meet the new standard.

 

* An AABB membership is required to view the full article.