The Armed Services Blood Program, with the support of Keller Army Community Hospital, will hold a Blood Drive on January 11 -- 14, 2016, at Eisenhower Hall, West Point, N.Y.
The drive will be held January 11-13, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and January 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and is open to the public.
WE WANT YOU…to save three lives with a single donation. By giving a little of yourself, your donation gives sick or injured troops and their families a second chance at life.
Blood and blood products are used for patients of all ages for many reasons--from cancer patients to those with battlefield injuries, military members and their families depend on blood donors every day. By donating, you help ensure that blood is available when it is needed most.
Blood can be separated into three main components -- red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and plasma; but it is the 'blood types' that must be matched between the donor and the recipient to ensure a safe transfusion. The blood types and their characteristics are:
• Type O Negative Donors: Also known as "universal donors," Type O Negative RBCs can be given to anyone. For that reason, Type O Negative blood is often used in emergency situations before a person's exact blood type can be determined.
• Type O Positive Donors: Approximately 84% of the U.S. population has Rh positive blood. This means that your RBCs can be given to 84% of those in need if their exact blood type is unavailable.
• Type A Positive/Negative Donors: Your blood type is the second most common U.S. blood type. This means there are many Type A patients out there who need your blood every day. Type A Negative donors can also provide RBCs for the more scarce Type AB patients if necessary.
• Type B Positive/Negative Donors: As the second rarest U.S. blood type, your blood is needed to keep your elite group of Type B patients safe and healthy. Type B Negative donors can also provide RBCs for the more scarce Type AB patients if necessary.
• Type AB Positive/Negative Donors: The rarest U.S. blood type at only 4%, Type AB donors are also known as "universal plasma donors", since their plasma can be given to anyone. For that reason, Type AB Positive/Negative plasma is often used in emergency situations before a person's exact blood type can be determined.
The reasons for giving blood are numerous and invaluable, because there is no substitute for human blood, every day brings advances in life-saving techniques--many of which require blood or blood products, and blood products cannot be stored indefinitely. Because blood may be needed at any time, it must be collected regularly; and if it is not available when the need arises, the consequences can be fatal.
Although those who donate can tell you there is no better feeling than saving a life, about only five percent of eligible donors actually donate. That is why we strongly encouraging all members of the Greater West Point and surrounding communities to donate and, possibly, become regular donors.
Additionally, a representative for the C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program will be at the blood drive for individuals who would like to enroll in the DoD Bone Marrow Program. Located in Rockville, Md., and in operation since 1991, the program works exclusively with military personnel and their dependents, DoD civilian employees, Reservists, and Coast Guard and National Guard members to facilitate marrow and stem cell donations. More than 800,000 individuals have registered, with the program, to fight against blood cancer and other fatal diseases. To learn more about joining the registry, and/or marrow and stem cell donation, go to https://www.salutetolife.org/.
WHO: The Armed Services Blood Program
WHO CAN GIVE: Soldiers and Civilian employees from USAG, USMA, USMAPS;
the public from the Greater West Point Community
and surrounding communities
WHAT: 2016 Blood Drive
WHEN: January 11 -- 13, 2016, from 1100 to 1900
January 14, 2016, from 1100 to 1700
WHERE: Eisenhower Hall, West Point, New York
Related Links:
Can I Donate??? Determine if you are eligible to donate blood.
Learn about the C.W. Bill Young Department of Defense Marrow Donor Program
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