ASBP Blood Drive
U.S. Army Reserve Center, Whitehall, OH

Saturday, August 13, 2011 - Sponsor: Rickenbacker Squadron, Ohio Civil Air Patrol (CAP)

Open for business. The Aug. 13th drive has started. Registration is now done with an ASBP team member---Maurice on the right---and a member of the Central Ohio coordination team, Hank Bobulski, on the left. Hank organized the first ASBP drive open to the public in May, 2007.

A couple supporters. So many of those who come to donate are either veterans, or have family members serving overseas.

Two drive coordinators: Roger Bock, with the Marine Corps Family Support Community (MCFSC) and Susan Bogan, A Family Assistance Center Specialist with the Ohio National Guard. Susan not only helps set up these drives, but also attends to provide guidance and family assistance information for those in uniform both donating and drilling that day.

Understandably, many of the public who show up to donate are veterans. These
two gents, long-time good friends, await their turn. Although the one on the left
is an Air Force veteran and his buddy a Marine vet, they are here for
one common goal: Supporting those overseas.

Amy, a member of the ASBP crew out of Wright-Patterson AFB, is today doing QC over the registration process and prepares the blood bag packets for the phlabotomists.

Full house. The drive at one of its peak. Several of the donors came after
hearing 610 WTVN mention the blood drive that morning.

While 1st Sgt. Greg McMillan is working as Reserve Center NCOIC, his wife and grandson quietly wait for him, each with their own recreational outlet.

Crusty "Little Joe", from Am. Legion Southway Post 144, a regular donor, and staunch supporter of these drives, finishes donating his pint.  The Ladies Auxiliary from his post will be sponsoring the next drive in Mid-October.

Staff Sgt. Roopnarine, the NCOIC and team lead for the ASBP crew today. Unfortunately, while performing her duties, she lost her wedding ring at one point when she removed her plastic gloves.

The drive over, the ASBP crew packs up their equipment and their precious cargo of blood for a quick return to WPAFB. There, another team awaits them to begin processing the blood for its immediate shipment overseas.