From the Desk Of:
Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, Director, ASBPO
 Greetings! Welcome to the March edition of Focal Point. In this issue, we take a closer look at how the Armed Services Blood Program participates in global health missions. Through these engagements we help nations create sustainable blood programs, improve blood and blood product safety, as well as assist with training programs. Together with our government and non-government partners, we are very proud of the role the military blood program plays the world over. Research and development are also highlighted in an article on Cold Storage Platelets featuring our own Capt. Jacquelyn Messenger. Focal Point also celebrates Women's History Month by saluting the many influential women who have had made a lasting mark on the success of the ASBP's mission to save lives of service members and their families worldwide. Please join me, as we thank them for their honorable service. As always, I am very proud of all of you and the work we are doing around the world and at home. Without our donors, volunteers, supporters and staff members, we wouldn't be able to save lives. Thank you for everything you do! You are the Armed Services Blood Program!
Respectfully, Capt. Roland Fahie |
|
|
Military Blood Program Helps Open Transfusion Center in Cambodia
 In February, the ASBP traveled to Cambodia to help open the Kampong Cham Provincial Blood Transfusion Center. According to Army Lt. Col. Teresa Terry, regional blood manager and the officer-in-charge of the Tripler Army Medical Center Transfusion Medicine Services in Hawaii, the ASBP's assistance in Cambodia was part of the U.S. Pacific Command Theater Security Cooperation Plan and the ASBP's contributions towards global health engagements. Read more.
|
|
|
ASBP Completes Full Scale Deployment of Its New Donor Management System
 The ASBP recently completed the full-scale deployment of the new LifeTrak donor management system. It will replace the old Defense Blood Standard System that was used throughout the military blood program for more than 20 years. Read more. |
|
|
ASBP Website, Newsletter Recognized in Keith L. Ware Public Affairs Competition
 The ASBP is proud to announce that the website and the November 2015 Focal Point monthly e-newsletter were recognized in the 2015 Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Public Affairs Competition. The website won honorable mention in the U.S. Army-wide portion of the competition. Both the website and newsletter won first place in their respective categories in the Army Medical Command-level.
Read the HQDA honorable mention announcement here, or learn more about the MEDCOM-level competition here.
|
|
No Uniform Required
The ASBP Focal Point civilian hero of the month
In March, Winston-Salem, N.C. resident, Brian Matsik was recognized by Army Col. Lance C. Raney, Womack Army Medical Center commander, and the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center for his dedication to the ASBP and for his work to create a banner that honors the fallen Soldiers from Fort Bragg. Read more. |
|
Picture This!
The ASBP Focal Point picture of the month
What's better than saving a life? How about saving a life and getting free Girl Scout cookies? Girl Scout Foster Troop 417 donated four cases of cookies to the U.S. Pacific Command Armed Services Blood Bank Center in Okinawa, Japan. The donor center started giving out the cookies to donors after their donation March 11. In this photo, Navy Lt. Lenae Pecenka, officer-in-charge of the donor center, presents members of the Girl Scout troop with a certificate of appreciation.
|
|
