HONOLULU - Soldiers and spouses from the 325th Brigade Support Battalion located at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, hosted their first unit blood drive with the Tripler Army Medical Center - Armed Services Blood Program during the 2017 holiday season. Soldiers and their family members eagerly rolled up their sleeves to help support a great cause.
Bravo Company Commander, U.S. Army Capt. Daniel Davis and his wife Fil Beth Davis rallied together to support the blood drive for the battalion and family readiness group.
"I thought it was a good initiative for our battalion. Supporting a special event like this only shows how much our troops and their families support the military community," Mrs. Davis said. "I also had the chance to donate blood for the very first time. I work in the health care field, and I am very much aware that blood products are always needed."
More than 100 people showed up to donate over the course of three days. They were able to collect 83 pints of lifesaving blood.
U.S. Army Sgt. Joseline Franco was the first to donate and said, "I've been donating blood since high school, and you'll never know when you or a family member might be in need of blood."
The 83 pints could not have come at a better time for the Tripler Blood Donor Center. During the holiday season, the Armed Services Blood Program faces blood collection challenges due to deployments and holiday block leave. Many medical conditions, medications and travel destinations also prevent people from donating blood on a temporary or indefinite basis.
Donating blood can impact a community in a significant way. Since blood is needed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, there are plenty of opportunities to give back.
"There is no substitute for blood. The only way it ends up on the shelves ready for all these treatments is when people make conscious efforts to donate," said U.S. Army Capt. Nekkeya McGee, the officer in charge at the blood center.
To help meet holiday storages, donate today at the Tripler Blood Donor Center, 2nd floor, oceanside entrance, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All blood types are needed, especially O-negative, O-positive and AB.
Additionally, on Jan. 16, the U.S. Army Health Clinic at Schofield Barracks is also holding a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil or call 808-433-6148. To interact directly with the Armed Services Blood Program staff, view photos or get the latest news, follow @militaryblood on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and Pinterest.
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 Armed Services Blood Program 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 and potent blood supply, the Armed Services Blood Program also works closely with our civilian counterparts by sharing donors on military installations and blood products in times of need to maximize the availability of this national treasure.
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