FORT SHAFTER - The 8th Theater Sustainment Command teamed with the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) for blood drives on Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks, March 8-9.
With the blood drive, the 8th TSC and ASBP sought to provide quality blood products for service members, veterans and their families in both peace and war. In particular, the blood drive supported the U.S. Army's top priority of readiness by ensuring Soldiers have the tools they need to deploy, fight, and win across the entire spectrum of conflict.
Throughout the drives, those who donated were eager to lend to a good cause by helping the ASBP get a much needed asset to the U.S. military community.
"There are a lot of sick people in the world and I did not choose a medical profession. That being said, I know that with my blood type, O positive, it's a very rare blood type and it could save a lot of people," said Spc. Latirius Jones, a signal support systems specialist with the 8th TSC. "Donating blood to me means being able to save people without being a doctor."
Jones said he encourages others to donate because of the need for blood. He said that despite misconceptions, donating doesn't hurt and that your blood could possibly save someone's life.
The ASBP was started by President Harry Truman in 1952 and has been a fully operational blood program since 1962. As a tri-service organization, the ASBP represents all of the military services and has many components working together to collect, process, store, transport and transfuse blood worldwide.
Throughout the drive, Soldiers from various units on Fort Shafter and Schofield Barracks trickled in to donate during their free time. For many, possibly saving a life was a big reason for donating while others mentioned a sense of duty as their reasoning.
"I feel that by giving blood, you're doing your duty," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Nunley, a military policeman with the 39th Military Police Detachment, 728th Military Police Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade. "It's free. All donating costs is time. Go ahead, help somebody, you might save a life."
Throughout the blood drive, the ASBP stressed that while all blood types are needed, types B (positive or negative), O Negative and AB (positive and negative) are most in demand.
For more information on the ASBP, visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/default.aspx. For more information on the local ASBP, contact the Tripler Army Medical Center Blood Donor Center at (808) 433-6148.
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