When Medical Department Activity - Alaska personnel come together for a common goal, great things happen.
July 28, 66 members of the MEDDAC-AK family -- Soldiers, civilian personnel, family members and a handful of beneficiaries -- rolled up their sleeves to donate blood at Bassett Army Community Hospital during a mobile drive through the Blood Bank of Alaska (BBA), collecting 50 units of blood and potentially saving up to 150 lives in Alaska.
MEDDAC-AK was asked to fill 48 appointment slots for the one-day event, a goal that was quickly surpassed.
According to Troy Palmer, community coordinator for BBA, 66 donors registered to give blood, 52 of which were new to the BBA system.
"The military and community mobile blood drives provide more than half of Alaska's blood supply," said Palmer.
Unlike the lower 48 states where trends in blood banking are declining, according the BBA, the demand for blood has actually increased in recent years.
"Our geography requires that Alaska be largely self-reliant when it comes to supplying blood to patients in need," said Bob Scanlon, chief executive officer of BBA. "If a disaster occurs we must be able to provide blood to those on the ground without the logistical burden of requesting blood from the lower 48."
Col. Christopher Jarvis, MEDDAC-AK commander, is proud of the staff donations and the overwhelming number of donations to assist the BBA with its mission.
"The donation of these 50 units of blood by the Bassett staff will sustain the life of numerous individuals in need of blood," said Jarvis. "Some downtown patients may not die or have complications from surgery or other medical conditions because they receive this blood. I am extremely proud of the dedicated MEDDAC-AK staff for their willingness to give a small part of themselves for the benefit of the citizens of our greater Fairbanks community."
While the blood donated will be used in Alaska, it will not likely be used at Ft. Wainwright -- a fact that does not deter the staff or leadership from donating.
"MEDDAC-AK is committed to helping the greater Fairbanks community," said Jarvis.
"We recognize the extreme challenges of living in this environment and want to support the community and our Fairbanks partners. These Fairbanks partners help us provide high-quality health care to the Soldiers and families of Fort Wainwright. They help us maintain the medical readiness of our force and their families. Donating blood that will likely save the life of someone in the Fairbanks community is the least we can do," he said.
The BBA currently serves 21 hospitals throughout Alaska. The blood and blood products are used in surgeries, traumas and as treatment plans for many diseases.
MEDDAC-AK's next blood drive is scheduled for Oct. 13.
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