From the Desk Of:
Capt. Roland Fahie, Director, ASBPO
Fall is upon us and with it, the October issue of Focal Point. First, my sincerest congratulations to Army Col. Richard Gonzales, former Army Blood Program director, as he retires this month. He will be missed by everyone in the military blood banking community. Army Lt. Col. Audra Taylor has taken the reins as the new director of the Army Blood Program. I am positive that Lt. Col. Taylor will keep the program running smoothly and successfully, and we are tremendously excited to work with her.
In this issue, you'll read about what makes the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center special, meet a civilian on Camp Lejeune who goes above and beyond the call of duty, and read about my recent trip to Fort Benning, Ga., where I was pleased to thank the donors and recognize staff members. I was privileged to have an open dialogue with the impressive donor team at Fort Benning, led by Lt. Col. Melanie Sloan, about our mission and our current research and development. I also had the opportunity to meet and thank the commanding officer of the Martin Army Community Hospital for his outstanding support of the ASBP.
We then check in with the Fort Bliss Blood Donor Center to see what donors in Texas are up to, Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Joshua Montgomery briefs us straight from the frontlines in Afghanistan, and we feature a video of a U.S. Coast Guard blood drop that took place Sept. 23.
As always, I would like to thank the amazing donors, volunteers and supporters of the Armed Services Blood Program. We rely on your unwavering dedication to continually provide blood and blood products to service members, retirees and their families in need - whenever and wherever it's needed most. Thank you for all you do. You are the Armed Services Blood Program!
Respectfully,
Capt. Roland Fahie
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ASBP Celebrates the Life of Longtime Blood Donor Recruiter David Thomas
 It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of David Thomas who passed away Oct. 7 after a three-year battle with cancer. David was a federal civilian employee for 15 years and an ASBP blood donor recruiter for 5 1/2 years. He was also a technical sergeant in the Air Force Reserve for more than 20 years. His career accomplishments and contributions to the ASBP have truly helped the military blood program save countless lives.
David will be laid to rest Oct. 14 in Dayton, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:
David Thomas Wish Foundation
5460 Cold Creek Court
Sylvania, OH 43560
"David was an innovative thinker who was always looking for better ways to meet the mission of our program," said Martin Ricker, ASBP blood donor recruiter supervisor. "He always had a smile and a positive 'can-do' attitude for everyone he met. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
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Army Col. Richard Gonzales Retires After 29 Years of Service
 Army Col. Richard Gonzales, director of the Army Blood Program, hands over the reins to his successor Oct. 2, and will retire from the U.S. military effective Feb. 1, 2015. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Gonzales proudly served in the U.S. Army for 29 years, and he will be greatly missed by the entire military blood banking community. Learn more about his accomplishments. |
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Army Reserve Soldiers Responsible for Mission on Fort Leonard Wood
 Welcome to the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center - the only blood collection center in the military that's manned solely by Army reservists. They collect blood for the ASBP, the official blood collection agency for the U.S. military. Read more. |
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No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month
 Meet Nancy Montague. She's a longtime blood donor with the ASBP and a co-coordinator for blood drives on Camp Lejeune, N.C. Read more of her story. |
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Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
Navy Capt. Roland Fahie (right), ASBP director, thanks Army Col. Scott B. Avery (left), commanding officer of the Martin Army Community Hospital on Fort Benning, Ga., for his support of the ASBP. See more photos. |
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Checkin' in with the:
Fort Bliss Blood Donor Center, Fort Bliss, Texas
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On the Frontline
An update from Staff Sgt. Joshua Montgomery, deployed with the 379th Blood Support Detachment
"The 379th Blood Support Detachment Operation Enduring Freedom 2014 family. We wish farewell and God speed to five of our family members as they return home. Their contributions to mission success cannot be matched. They will be missed!" |
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Industry News
A Plan to Use Survivors' Blood for Ebola Treatment in Africa (By Andrew Pollack, New York Times)
With no proven drugs to treat Ebola and experimental ones in short supply, health authorities are planning to turn instead to a treatment that is walking around in the outbreak zone in West Africa. Read more. |
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Featured Video
We are very proud to showcase yet another air drop of blood by the U.S. Coast Guard. An aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii, flew approximately 400 miles to airdrop a container of lifesaving blood to a cruise ship northeast of Oahu Sept. 23. Personnel aboard the cruise ship Carnival Miracle contacted the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance for an ailing passenger. (U.S. Coast Guard video)
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Pins and Pints
The ASBP Focal Point pin of the month
Melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin cookies: It's the fall season ... and well, what better way to kick it off then with these delicious pumpkin cookies. Great for fall and great for that autumn ASBP blood drive coming up!
Want some more sweet treat ideas? Check out 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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