FORT HOOD, Texas (ASBP, October 20, 2010) - For Sgt. Harry Carelock, the opportunity to make history came while reclined in a donor chair watching a movie with half a dozen people on hand to ensure his comfort. Carelock was the first new platelet donor at Fort Hood's Robertson Blood Center apheresis training program-a program designed to train deploying troops to be experts on platelet collection in war zones.
A former Marine, Carelock served as an infantryman before departing for college. After college, he entered the Army as a signalman. Now serving as a Line of Sight Communications Team Chief, the Georgia native volunteered to donate so that the apheresis systems used to train deploying troops could be validated.
Robertson Blood Center leaders have partnered with expert blood processing systems trainers to create a master class of apheresis trainers for soldiers learning to use the equipment on the battlefield. Diane Holloway, a very experienced technician, performed Carelock's procedure.
"The platelets we pull from the blood only last five days," said Holloway. "Although we move red cells very quickly, platelets must be collected on the battlefield using these special, portable machines. We have to train soldiers to be experts before they deploy and that's what we will do in the future."
The program at the Robertson Blood Donor Center is different from other Armed Services Blood Program platelet collection programs because the goal is to train deploying troops to do collections in war zones, although it will also provide products to the local military hospital. Until recently, this training has been conducted at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. With the closure of that program pending due to construction, Col. Ron Fryar, the Army's service blood program officer, coordinated the move to Fort Hood.
"Much like units need ammunition to train to shoot before deployment, blood detachments will need apheresis donors to train with," said Capt. Steven McDaniel, chief of donor center operations at the Robertson Blood Center. "While affording a great training opportunity, it is important to remember how much good these platelets do locally. We will use these at our local military hospital where they can help save the lives of people now."
According to McDaniel, most of the donations will be used to treat babies or burn victims in the hospital. "When donors give us their time, we want to make sure that our medical technologists are the best trained in the world and that their products are put to the best use possible," said McDaniel.
About an hour into Carelock's donation, bags of yellow fluid began to line the side of the apheresis machine. Carelock calmly watched his movie while Holloway monitored the return process. Digital readouts kept her informed and made sure that she knew the sealed system was running smoothly. Because all moving parts, filters, and even the tubing are changed as a set for each donor, it is important that donors schedule appointments by going online or calling the donor center before reporting for apheresis.
While Carelock was the first volunteer to give platelets to the training program, he almost certainly will not be the last. As the Robertson Blood Center continues to train soldiers to be experts on platelet collections in war zones, additional volunteers will be needed.
Even Carelock himself is considering donating again. "It's been a long, long time since I donated but I'd do this again," he said.
To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to make an appointment, please visit us online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood
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