Gunfighters donate to save lives

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho – Blood drive volunteers submitted to prescreening interviews to have the iron in their blood tested during the blood drive hosted April 25-26 at the base fitness center. The tests ensured the donations were the best blood possible. At the end, 118 donations were collected in two days. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake)

Gunfighters donate to save lives

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho – Senior Airman Logan Beltz, mobile laboratory technician from stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., collects blood during the annual Armed Services Blood Program blood drive April 25-26 at the base fitness center. Airman Beltz and his team drive across the western portion of the country collecting blood for those in need. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake)

Gunfighters donate to save lives

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Senior Airman Logan Beltz, mobile laboratory technician stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., preps Tech Sgt. Victor Salvador, 366th Force Support Squadron, before the sergeant donates a pint of blood during the blood drive hosted April 25-26. Sergeant Salvador was one of the 158 volunteers who donated, resulting in 118 units of blood product. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake)

Gunfighters donate to save lives

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho – Staff Sgt. Isaiah Yslas, Armed Services Blood Program stationed out of Joint Base Louis-McCord, assists in the loading of the blood donations from the blood drive held April 26 at the fitness center. The donations were then expedited to the ASBP for processing and storage. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman Angelina Drake)

LIQUID LIFE: Gunfighters donate to save lives

Published April 29, 2011
By Senior Airman Angelina Drake
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO -- More than 150 Gunfighters lined up April 25-26 to donate blood during the annual Armed Services Blood Program military blood drive here.

The drive was an effort to help resupply the low levels of blood available for the men and women downrange, families in need, accident victims and a host of other life-threatening possibilities.

The ASBP blood collection staff, from Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash., worked from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. both days to give Gunfighter the opportunity to come out and donate. There, they set up and tore down all of equipment, registering and checking in volunteers, interviewing donators about their medical history, conducting preliminary tests, collecting blood and processing donations in preparation for shipment.

"We truly appreciate the donors of Mountain Home," said Mr. Victor Shermer, the Blood Donor Recruiter for the ASBP. He stated it was good to see all the volunteers who were able to come out, and take in their day to give blood.

ASBP distributes blood and blood products for 1.3 million servicemembers and their families across the Nation and around the globe every year. Since the ASBP's inception more than 1.5 million units of blood have been provided to treat battlefield illnesses and injuries. In addition to providing blood in combat situations and for those in critical need, the ASBP also supports the peacetime needs of military personnel and their families. Blood must be available to military hospitals for scheduled and emergency procedures. Additionally, those who are in need of blood have a better chance of survival through a donation of a stranger rather than a blood relative.

"One of the most common misconceptions is that when a person is in need of blood a family member is able to donate blood to him or her if they are the correct blood type," said James Koseki 366th Medical Group laboratory technician. "This is not true for a few reasons, but the most important reason is that once a person starts to bleed it's too late for a family member to donate, and they are then dependent on the blood supply of the hospital." An on the spot donation from a blood relative would have to be irradiated to make it safe to transfuse, which takes away valuable time. The irradiation process is required because blood relatives cannot donate one to the other otherwise a serious rejection could occur that would harm the recipient.

People can donate at any time and do not have to wait for a blood drive. Anyone interested in registering should establish a profile and make an appointment online at www.militarydonor.com For donor qualification questions, call 1-800-737-0902.