From the Desk Of:
Capt. Roland Fahie, Director, ASBPO
Greetings to everyone and welcome to our August edition of Focal Point. Inside you will read about how the Naval Medical Center San Diego and the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton provided blood bank support onboard the USNS Mercy during the 2014 RIMPAC exercises. We also feature Part I of the "Our Story" series which will give you a deeper perspective on our history. It is my goal for everyone to gain more awareness and a deep appreciation for what we do.
We also showcase a recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association, introduce you to several civilians who rolled up their sleeves to "give to the red, white and blue," and check in with the 802nd Security Forces Squadron at Lackland Air Force Base. Finally, in our newest section, On the Frontline, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Joshua Montgomery -- who is currently deployed with the 379th Blood Support Detachment -- provides updates from Afghanistan.
My personal thank you, to all of the donors, volunteers and supporters who day in and day out help the ASBP save lives. Without you, we would not be able to provide safe, quality blood products to ill or injured service members worldwide. You all are the Armed Services Blood Program.
Thank you for all you do!
Respectfully,
Capt. Roland Fahie
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ASBP Supports USNS Mercy During RIMPAC Exercises
 Staff from the Naval Medical Center San Diego and the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton augmented the USNS Mercy blood bank in support of the 2014 Rim of the Pacific exercise from June 26 to Aug. 1. Learn more.
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Our Story, Part I: Who We Are
 What exactly is the ASBP? Who do we support? Where does a blood donation to the ASBP go? All of these questions and more are answered in a series we are calling "Our Story." Over the course of three articles, we explain exactly who we are, what we do and how we help save lives of service members and their families worldwide. This is Part I: Who we are.
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STUDY: Changes in Transfusion Protocol Cuts Troop Death Rate
 According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, fewer service members have died from bleeding complications since 2006. Learn more. |
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Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
 U.S. Army Spc. Robert Moher, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade crew chief, stands by to deliver blood in Afghanistan, July 2014. Moher, a Harlem, N.Y. native, is deployed from Fort Campbell, Ky. Joint Theater Trauma System members ensure fresh blood is always on hand. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sandra Welch). See more photos. |
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Checkin' in with the:
Lackland Blood Donor Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
Find out how the 802nd Security Forces Squadron does more than provide security. They save lives, too. Read more. |
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On the Frontline
An update from Staff Sgt. Joshua Montgomery, deployed with the 379th Blood Support Detachment
July 24, 2014
"We conducted an emergency blood drive collecting over 100 units. The response to the call for blood by our service members, civilians and contractors was amazing! At one point we had over 400 people waiting in line to help. We were also able to collect apheresis platelets as well. The response to this call was a demonstration of the level of commitment that the people stationed here still have for our brother and sisters in arms as well as the continued mission. We here at the 379th Blood Support Detachment will continue to make the ASBP and our country proud and live up to our motto 'Bringing blood to the fight!'"
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Industry News
Freeze-dried Plasma Saves Special Ops Soldiers
The Army Blood Program is currently involved in a pilot study to collect licensed fresh frozen plasma to be converted to freeze dried plasma. The main goal of the initiative is to significantly increase the survival rate of soldiers on the battlefield. Find out more. |
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Featured Video
This video, first published July 30, explains how the ASBP is working to bring freeze-dried plasma farther forward to the frontlines. (Video courtesy of News 4 San Antonio)
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Pins and Pints
The ASBP Focal Point pin of the month
It's true. You help a mom be able to kiss her kids in the morning, a Marine come home from theater, a veteran receive his transfusion. Just by giving an hour of your time and a pint of blood. Thank you.
Get more Donation Inspiration on the ASBP Pinterest page.
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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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