DOD to Honor Blood Donors for Saving Lives

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON  – The Defense Department plans to recognize blood donors early next year for their critical contributions to saving lives by giving blood to the Armed Services Blood Program, the program’s director said today.

“National Blood Donor Month, which is usually January of every year, is an attempt to recognize those blood donors and everyone involved in blood donation for their sacrifices and rolling up their sleeves in 2011,” Army Col. Frank Rentas, director of the Armed Services Blood Program, said during a Pentagon Channel and American Forces Press Service interview here.

“Next month … we will be recognizing those donors that have supported our mission,” he said. “Our mission is to provide blood and blood supplies whenever and wherever they’re needed.”

The joint program plays a key role in providing quality blood products for service members and their families in both peacetime and war, according to its website.

Rentas noted the demand for blood -- which only lasts 42 days in storage before perishing -- and shared different needs for blood donation which are based on the needs of the war fighter.

“Most people, when you say ‘blood,’ they refer to red blood cells,” he said. “With red blood cells, O-negative is the most sought-after blood type because you can transfuse it to anyone out there.

“If you are looking at plasma, it’s completely opposite,” Rentas continued. “AB plasma is what we need because AB plasma is universal. So depending on our needs, we may target specific donors or specific blood types depending on what we need for a specific week.”

The program director detailed the importance of receiving donations since one donor can potentially save three lives.

“If they’re donating whole blood … we split that unit into plasma and red cells,” he explained. “One donation can actually save three different lives because we can make platelets out of some of those units as well.

“So the platelets can actually go to one recipient, the plasma can go to another, and the red cells can go to another,” Rentas added. “So that would be three different recipients that you can save with one donation.”

People can donate whole blood every 56 days, Rentas said, but some aren’t eligible to donate. “Overseas, depending on where you are, you may or may not be able to donate,” he explained.

An example, Rentas said, is people who were based in Europe in areas afflicted with what is known as Mad Cow Disease. “Even though I’m an O-negative blood donor, and donated many, many times in the [1980’s], I was assigned to Germany from 1987 to 1990,” Rentas continued, “and I have not been able to donate since because of Mad Cow Disease. Even though I feel perfectly fine, I’m not allowed to donate.”

The colonel cited the Federal Drug Administration as the authority which dictates policies and guidelines to both civilian and DOD blood donor facilities.

“We’re licensed to collect because we do have an FDA license,” he said. “So we need to follow their policies … one of their policies is if you have been in specific places where Mad Cow Disease has been a concern, you’re not allowed to donate.”

People can donate blood at more than 20 sites worldwide. Those who cannot donate blood, can still contribute by passing on the word, Rentas said.

“The best place for [service members] to get information is our website, www.militaryblood.dod.mil,” he said. “[It has] anything that they need to know about locations, they can make appointments [and] reasons about why they may not be able to donate.”

Rentas expressed his gratitude to donors for “rolling up their sleeves” to give blood and he encouraged them to continue to support the program.

“If you come to a DOD blood donor facility in January, we’re going to be holding recognition ceremonies to express our gratitude for what you have done in 2011,” he said.

Kings Bay Blood Drive Supports Troops Overseas

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) James Kimber, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- The Armed Services Blood Program hosted a blood drive at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Dec. 5-6.

The donated blood will arrive in combat zone theaters by Friday to support deployed troops.

Capt. John O'Neill, commanding officer, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, was the first uniformed donor of the drive and said it was the first time he has ever donated blood to the ASBP and.

"The blood donated today makes a great, immediate impact for our forces overseas," O'Neill said. "I encourage everyone who can to donate to this positive, longstanding program."

This is the first time ASBP has held a blood drive in Kings Bay, said Erin Hawkins, an ASBP blood donor recruiter from Fort Gordon, Ga.

"December is typically the toughest month to get blood donations," Hawkins said. "With people preparing for the holidays, travelling around the country in addition to deployments and regular operations, it tends to slip people's minds. But the need never slips."

The process to get blood from the donor to the desert is very efficient and maintains an extremely fast tempo.

"From the time the blood leaves the donor's arm to the time its being stored in theater takes 72 hours," Hawkins said.

The donors are interviewed on their medical history, given a quick but thorough check-up to ensure the member is healthy to donate before all of the paperwork is reviewed by the company's staff sergeant to issue a blood bag.

"Our process attempts to eliminate error as much as possible," said SSgt. Eric Longacre, Bravo Company Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Ga. "This makes it as safe as possible for the donor and the potential serviceman or woman who may need it."

At that point the donor will have their blood drawn and given time to recover with high-sugar treats like juice and cookies, one of the few times a doctor will order a patient to consume more sugar.

Once it's bagged, the blood is mixed with an anticoagulant to ensure the blood doesn't clot in transport or storage. The tube is then segmented for testing and packed away for transport, all usually within an hour.

The blood is then tested and screened at the Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey before being flown into theater for those in need or stored on U.S. Navy ships.

"It's really a tri-service effort to take care of our Soldiers down range," said Hawkins.

"There are other people out there who need [my blood] more than me," Lt. Eric Goying, USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Gold), one of the earliest donors to arrive to the drive.

For Erica Gilliand of Lewiston, Idaho, the blood drive had a different meaning.

"It's our anniversary today," Gilliand said about her and her husband, U.S. Coast Guard Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Jon Gilliand of Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay. The couple began to celebrate their fifth anniversary with their donation.

"We decided not to give each other gifts for our anniversary because it's so close to Christmas," Erica Gilliand said. "So we're offering a gift to those who are serving overseas."

"I want to help out my fellow Marines over there [in combat]," said Cleveland native Pfc. John Schon of Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Kings Bay. "I joined the Corps to go to over there, but the Marines need me here instead. This is the best way for me to help them right now."

Bethesda Blood Center Seeks Platelet Donors

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dion Dawson, National Naval Medical Center Public Affairs

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) held a blood drive Aug. 9 at the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) in an effort to help save lives of military members.

The ASBP is constantly seeking blood and platelet donors. Platelets - small, colorless cells found in blood - are involved in clotting and can be donated through a process known as apheresis.

"Apheresis is a medical procedure that involves removing whole blood from a donor or patient and separating the blood into individual components so that one particular component can be removed," said Mary Lewis, supervisor of the Apheresis Department at NNMC. "After the platelets are collected, the remaining blood components then are re-introduced back into the bloodstream of the patient or donor."

"The need is there," said Lewis. "If you have a person who is bleeding from trauma, injuries sustained in combat or has a low platelet count from chemotherapy, it helps to stop bleeding. We continuously encourage platelet donation because platelets are good for five days, while blood is good for 42 days after it is donated, so we constantly need to increase our amount of platelet products due to the quickness of the expiration."

An individual can donate platelets every two weeks, up to 24 times a year, but when giving regular red blood, a person must wait eight weeks before donating again.

Lewis went on to explain the process of donating platelets.

"Before we prepare to extract platelets, we have to verify that the person's red cells, white cells and platelets are at a certain level to be able to donate," she stated. "After that, they will complete a questionnaire, travel form and initial interview. The requirements of the donor are similar to giving blood, but the collection process takes longer. While donating, the donor is attached to a machine that extracts blood, separates it, takes some plasma and platelets and gives everything else back. It is a continuous process that lasts between 60 to 90 minutes."

The amount of time the process takes also depends on the donor's height, weight, blood and platelet count.

"We need to continue to expand and increase our database of donors through word of mouth and support from the command," said Reynald Weidner, an apheresis technician at NNMC. "It gives me a good feeling knowing that the more supplies we have ready means more opportunities for patients to receive transfusion services that's needed."

Weidner said it's part of her job to sit down with the donors and explain the importance of giving and the people who benefit from the donation.

"My job involves platelet collection, recruiting donors and spreading it through word of mouth. It is more than just collecting the platelets. I always encourage people to donate," she added.

As supervisor, Lewis said she has a hand in everything related to the department, especially when it comes to making sure the department gets the platelet donors needed for patients at NNMC.

"It is the donor's responsibility to come to us healthy, not having taken any medications that we mentioned, stay hydrated and having eaten a calcium-rich diet the day before," she said. "The machine bonds with the calcium and allows the blood not to clot during the collection process. We have [an] appointment system set up, so that anyone interested in donating can go online and set up their own appointment."

Donors cannot take any aspirin 72 hours before donating and any non-steroidal medicine for 24 hours prior. For more information about the ASBP, visit militaryblood.dod.mil.

Sea Services Give Blood for South Florida during Fleet Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles White, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen participating in Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011 are partnering with the Community Blood Centers of South Florida (CBCSF) to meet needs in Broward, Monroe, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach county hospitals, April 26-29.

Dawn Bossaller, CBCSF director of donor recruitment, said donations by the service members will help maintain necessary quantities for emergent care situations in the area and will boost supply to acceptable levels well into June.

"We have two primary level-one trauma centers right here in [South Florida], so the need for blood is tremendous," she said.

According to CNCSF, during a past Fleet Week Port Everglades, visiting sea services donated nearly 300 pints of blood – a quantity which would ordinarily take 25 blood drives to collect.

"It is easier for us to convert a military member into a donor because they get it," Bossaller said. "They know what it means to serve. We very much appreciate the support of the military."

Seaman Jonathan Imbert of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), chose to donate blood during Fleet Week because, as he said, "I just like helping other people."

After being told about the common use of blood platelets, plasma, and red blood cells to treat childhood illnesses, Imbert decided to undergo the more lengthy procedure of donating all three. "I'm actually a father now," he said. "So I understand how [a childhood illness] could affect a family."

The mobile site on Port Everglades pier does not require an appointment for service members wishing to donate. Those who are in good health and have not given blood within the last 56 days are asked to stop by one of the two Blood Mobiles near Terminal 21 to complete a short medical screening.

Community Blood Centers of Florida is a non-profit, all-voluntary blood collection agency, annually collecting more than 250,000 pints of blood and blood products for hospital and kidney dialysis patients in southeast and central Florida. According to CBCSF, 60 percent of Americans are eligible to give blood, but only five percent actually do.

More than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen are in South Florida for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011. The week-long celebration of the sea services honors the men and women of the military through public events and recognition, and also provides the sea services an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of surface platforms, equipment and the skills of the men and women serving aboard these vessels.

For more information on Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011, visit the Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs Center's Navy NewsStand page at https://navcms.news.navy.mil/local/nrse/.

Media outlets interested in covering Fleet Week events should contact Lt. Cmdr. Jonathon Blyth at 202-270-8136.

Naval Special Warfare Hosts Blood Drive

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) John Scorza, Naval Special Warfare Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) hosted the first of its quarterly Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) blood donor drive's in San Diego, Calif., March 15.

Sailors and civilians joined in the NSW donor effort and contributed more than 40 pints, which will benefit military members and their families around the world.

"We are a military blood donor center and our mission is to support the military," said Doreen Rekoski, NMCSD blood donor recruiter. "We do that in two ways. The first way is by sending the blood to our hospital, NMCSD, and the other way is by sending a weekly shipment of blood to the troops overseas for the forward deployed medical units."

Military blood donations are limited due to federal restrictions stating that military collections must be performed on military installations. Although anyone can donate, they must have base access to participate.

"Really, our primary donors are active duty or retired military," said Rekoski. "Anyone can donate, but it is a matter of being able to get on base which limits our exposure."

"Donating blood saves lives," said Rekoski. "There is no substitute for human blood and even though you don't know who you're going to help, you will help someone."

Operations Specialist 3rd Class April Reimers has given blood more than 10 times in her life and advocates the importance of donating.

"It saves lives. It's that simple," said Reimers. "People should think about what it would be like to be in a position of needing blood and not having anyone volunteer to give any."

"I've never donated before," said Intelligence Specialist 2nd Class (EXW) Jeffrey Jones. "I've contemplated giving blood for many years, and I couldn't really say what made me do it this time, but I'm glad I did it."

Blood Drive

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Whidbey Island

April 5, 2010 - OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Armed Services Blood Bank Center (ASBBC) Pacific Northwest conducted a blood drive on Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island March 29-31.

The blood drive was held in support of the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) at Fleet Readiness Center Northwest, the NAS Whidbey Island Gym and Fitness Center and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Whidbey Island.

ASBBC is part of Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Wash., and travels to military bases throughout the northwestern United States collecting blood donations for military members.

The ASBP offers a front-line supply of blood to military members in need. The program relies on Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to take care of their own through blood donation and collection efforts.

According to Victor L. Shermer, blood donor recruiter, the majority of the donations go to members serving overseas in locations like Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I try to give something, and I know someone out there will need blood," said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Edison Ramos, of Guam, 3M assistant assigned to Operations Ground Electronics Maintenance Division at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. "I also feel that when I'm donating blood I'm helping someone out there, so I try to do this as often as I can."

The donation process starts with Sailors filling out personal information forms and medical history to ensure they are eligible to donate. Factors such as low red blood cell count, travel in known malaria areas and certain prescription medications can disqualify service members.

Next, vitals are taken to make sure the member is healthy enough to donate, and finally comes the donating.

Donors said it is important to give blood to ensure a continuous supply is available.

"I came today because I felt it was time to give blood because I have not given blood since 2005," said Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Jerry Byrne, of Temecula, Calif. "I feel this serves a bigger purpose than when I gave blood before. This supply goes directly to soldiers and Sailors like me. I hope someone else [would] give blood if I was hurt as well or needed it."

Because blood can be separated into three parts: platelets, plasma and red blood cells, it is possible for a pint of donated blood to save up to three lives.

Platelets can be stored for only five days, so the need for platelet donations is vast and continuous.

"It's nice seeing services come together and support the Armed Services Blood Program because by supporting the blood program they're actually helping their fellow service members that are put in harm's way," said Army 1st Lt. Paul R. Ambross, officer-in-charge of Mobile Blood Operations. "It's important that they recognize that anytime they support this, it's needed because if we do not get the support, we either have to buy blood products off the market or sometimes there may not be blood products for surgeries or other needs a doctor may see, so I'm happy with the turn-out."

Shermer said buying blood from civilian agencies can range up to $200 to $400, so service members donating blood is vital. "If we don't have blood downrange for our deployed personnel, someone is not going to make it, so it's very important to donate"

The ASBP was formed more than 50 years ago to provide blood for the military during peacetime and war. The program works to collect, process, distribute and transfuse blood worldwide.

The ASBBC collected 145 pints of blood from FRC NW and 45 pints from NAS Whidbey Island Gym and Fitness Center and 85 pints from Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit, totaling 275 pints.