Blood donations needed

By Mr. Dave Conrad (III Corps)May 8, 2017

Blood donations needed
Apheresis technician Jessica Johnson monitors Army Sgt. Fares Naffaa while he donates platelets at Fort Hood's Robertson Blood Center. Each donation provides the same amount of platelets that would be extracted from six units of whole blood, allowing... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

When patients at Carl R. Darnall Medical Center need blood, plasma or platelet transfusions they rely on the Robertson Blood Center (RBC), but blood products can be harder to come as more servicemembers deploy in support of overseas operations.

"It has been extremely challenging to get and keep regular donors here at Fort Hood due to the ever constant deployments," said Maj. Ronnie Hill, RBC director. "Each time one of our donors deploys, we may not able to collect from them for a year or two, depending on where they have been."

Hill said RBC's primary mission of directly supporting deployed troops has intensified in addition to increasing support to CRDAMC capabilities to help fight cancer, increased surgical capabilities and to treat trauma.

"Donations are vital to the success of the RBC mission," Hill said, adding that current critical needs are platelets and plasma. "Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are cells found in blood that bind to damaged blood vessels and cause blood to clot. Essentially, they help stop bleeding."

According to Hill, platelet donations help patients with life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, anemia, cancer and other blood diseases that may have affected a patient's ability to produce them on their own.

"Although they don't cure disease they allow patients time to produce their own platelets or in some cases, allow medical treatment to work," he said.

It takes approximately six units of whole blood to provide a single platelet transfusion. One platelet donation provides enough platelets for one or more platelet transfusions, according to the ASBP website. Platelet donors not only contribute to the platelet supply, but also allow whole blood donations to be used more efficiently.

"We can really use some extra assistance from our Rear Detachment Command Teams, FRGs, Command Teams that have not deployed yet and our new Soldiers at Fort Hood to get on our calendar for drives," Hill said. "We are all one big Family here at Fort Hood and taking an hour or two every few weeks could make the difference in saving the life of one of our own. Every single donation counts and will be used to help out either our deployed Family members down range or our Family members in the local community."

Servicemembers, Family members and Retirees can also donate plasma, which makes up about 55 percent of blood volume. It is the fluid that carries blood components throughout the body, according to the ASBP website. Plasma from donors with type AB blood, the "universal plasma," is often in the greatest demand because anyone can use it.

"Because AB plasma donors make up only about four percent of the U.S. population, plasma donations are always needed," said Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, ASBP director. "A continuous supply of plasma is essential to meet the needs of hospitals and military treatment facilities worldwide."

The donation process for plasma or platelets can last one to two hours and require a few special screenings. As a result of the additional time requirement, platelet and plasma donors are asked to make appointments by calling the RBC Apheresis section at (254) 553-6972.

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 ASBP 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, potent blood supply, the ASBP works closely with our civilian counterparts by sharing donors on military installations where there are no military blood collection centers and by sharing blood products in times of need to maximize availability of this national treasure. To find out more about the ASBP or to schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members, see more photos or to get the latest news, follow @militaryblood on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Pinterest and YouTube. Find the drop. Donate.