FORT CARSON, Colo.-Fort Carson hosted a blood drive Tuesday and Wednesday, as Soldiers and civilians came out to the Special Events Center to donate blood used to help save lives of military members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Armed Services Blood Program, based at Fort Bliss, Texas, ran the drive. The goal was to collect as much blood as possible during the two-day event.

Once collected, the ASBP processes it through the Department of Defense and immediately sends it overseas.

Lt. Col. Susan Alleyn, chief of blood services, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, Texas, says the organization's primary goal is to help numerous military donor centers, including Fort Carson, meet their quota.

She said once the blood is collected, the Joint Special Operations Command puts the blood on a plane at Peterson Air Force Base the same night, then flies it to Fort Bliss.

Personnel with the ASBP then process the blood and send samples to a civilian agency that tests it and sends results back within 24 hours. If the blood is uncontaminated and approved, it goes to an East Coast military blood-processing laboratory that ships it directly to Iraq and Afghanistan. All this happens in approximately four days.

"I just want to thank the public and Fort Carson for allowing us to come here and do the blood drive, and support our effort to provide blood to our military personnel overseas," said Alleyn.

People who gave blood during the drive had many different reasons for doing so. For two women, it was important because their husbands are serving in the Army.

"Every time I'm able to donate I come out. My husband is currently deployed so I'm a big supporter of our troops," said Nadia Ortiz, a Fort Carson Family member.

"I work at Evans Army (Community) Hospital and got an e-mail about the blood drive," said Stephanie Searles, wife of Fort Carson Soldier. "My husband is enlisted, so I like supporting our troops and I like to give blood."

Another came out because he once served in the Army and wants to support Soldiers any way he can.

"I've given blood in town quite a few times and I just think a lot of the military, so I would like to do my part," said Dale Fullen, who served more than 40 years ago.

One woman came out right after she heard about the event.

"I was listening to the radio this morning and heard there was a need for blood, so I brought myself and my daughter down to donate," said Ann Jacks, a resident of Colorado Springs.

One donor had a personal reason for donating. Sgt. 1st Class Paul Maas, currently working in the plans section of Mission Support Element at Fort Carson, was on an operation in Iraq back in 2004 when he was shot in the head. He said he received a number of blood transfusions that helped save his life.

"I never thought that I'd be injured, but I was and the blood was there for me, and I'm here and still alive," he said.

Maas summed up the day when he spoke about the need for people to keep giving.

"It's definitely great that they give blood for Soldiers who have been wounded in combat. You just never know when it's needed," he said.

The ASBP will be back in Colorado Springs Sept. 8-10, collecting blood at the Air Force Academy.

For more information about donating blood, contact the Fort Bliss Blood Donor recruiter at 915-568-3365.