HONOLULU -- On Dec. 12, more than 70 Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, lined up to support the "Soldiers Creating a Holiday Legacy" blood drive.
Bravo Company 1st Sgt. Matthew Fitch was one of the first to donate blood.
"I'm happy to be able to donate at today's blood drive," Fitch said. "I try to volunteer whenever I can, especially when I'm not deferred due to my past deployments. At the end of the day, whether it be downrange or stateside, all it takes is an hour of my time and a little blood to ensure Soldier survivability."
"I'm also truly proud of the 40 Soldiers from Bravo Company who volunteered to donate blood at today's blood drive," Fitch continued. "I ask for volunteers and almost every Soldier not disqualified due to Pacific Pathways rotation stepped up to help other Soldiers in need."
For blood collection programs across the country, a decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day when donors are busy with family gatherings, shopping and travel. But it's also the time of year when it's critical to have an adequate supply of blood.
For the Armed Services Blood Program, the biggest challenge to collecting blood over the holiday season is deferrals due to deployments and holiday block leave. Many medical conditions, medications and travel destinations also prevent people from donating either temporarily or permanently.
Army 2nd Lt. Jose Pena, the battalion blood drive coordinator, was instrumental in helping boost participation. Although, he has never been able to donate blood due to travel restrictions, he does realize the constant need for blood exists.
Pena admits it was difficult to set up a blood drive during this time of year. The battalion training schedule is full and the battalion is getting ready for the holiday block leave; but the "1/27th Infantry Battalion always shows a strong camaraderie," he said, so the blood drive was a success.
Thank you to the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, Schofield Barracks, for their support, especially during this time of the year. Through their efforts, the ASBP Tripler Blood Donor Center is one step closer to reaching its blood collection goal and "Creating a Holiday Legacy."
If you would like to donate blood with the Tripler Army Medical Center this holiday season, there are still a few blood drives left:
Jan. 6, 2017
Pearl Harbor Shipyard
9 a.m. -- 1 p.m.
Jan. 9, 2017
Pearl Harbor Chapel
9 a.m. -- 1 p.m.
Jan. 17, 2017
NEX - Main Entrance
About the Armed Services Blood Program
Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program has served as the sole provider of blood for the United States military. As a tri-service organization, the ASBP collects, processes, stores and distributes blood and blood products to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families worldwide. As one of four national blood collection organizations trusted to ensure the nation has a safe, potent blood supply, the ASBP works closely with our civilian counterparts by sharing donors on military installations where there are no military blood collection centers and by sharing blood products in times of need to maximize availability of this national treasure. To find out more about the ASBP or to schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members, see more photos or get the latest news, follow @militaryblood on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Pinterest.
Find the drop. Donate.
Related Links:
Regional Health Command-Pacific Official Facebook Page
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