CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo-- On average, the National Center for Blood Transfusion of Kosovo receives more than 100 requests for blood each day.
To help meet the high demand U.S. Army Soldiers of the 28th Combat Support Hospital, deployed to Kosovo as Task Force Medical, came together with more than 400 service members and civilians, representing 16 separate nations, during a blood drive on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, June 14, 2016.
"It truly is humbling," said 1st Lt. Jose Arias, Task Force Medical executive officer and event organizer. "All of Task Force Med came together and we showed the strength of our task force and true unity of all nations coming together for such a great cause."
The donations will be stored in Pristina, Kosovo and made available to all patients in need, regardless of ethnicity.
"With ethnic tensions in Kosovo, a blood drive is a great concept because blood knows no race, color, gender or religious affiliation," said Maj. Andrew Wieher, Task Force Medical commander. "Its need is as universal as clean air and clean water."
With more than 460 pints of blood donated, Wieher said NATO's Kosovo Force was potentially helping up to 1,386 Kosovo residents.
The success of the event quickly resonated throughout Kosovo and caught the attention of senior Kosovo officials, who jumped at the opportunity to share in the humanitarian spirit.
"When I heard that Soldiers from multiple nations donated blood today it showed they were dedicated to protecting life and human spirit," said Kosovo's Minister of Health, Mr. Imet Rrahmani. "For the individuals who donated blood it may not seem like much but each unit of blood has the potential to save a life."
According to the blood bank's Information Manager, Albana Gashi, there have been times in the past when the blood bank could not supply the units needed.
"Unfortunately we have had cases in the past of mortality because a lack of blood," Gashi said. "Now we are getting more people interested and we are getting better."
Gashi said their ability to maintain a strong reserve of blood can be attributed to the example set by the Soldiers and civilians of KFOR.
"The Soldier's donations are a great model to convince more to give blood," said Gashi. "When they see the donations by the Soldiers; the Kosovo Police, Kosovo Security Force, municipalities and students are motivated to do their humanitarian job."
Wieher said he hopes the success of this event and the participation of high-ranking officials will show the citizens of Kosovo that the U.S. and their multinational counterparts are not just there to support peace, but also to help save lives.
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