FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The 2025 holiday season saw America’s military blood supply drop drastically and the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center must collect 1,200 units Jan. 25 through 28 to help replenish the life-saving inventory.
In what’s been dubbed the Armed Services Blood Program Winter Drive, teams from Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bliss, Texas and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., will host the four-day blood drive at the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center located at 6261 Buckeye in Building 759A.
“We’ve seen a significant nationwide drop in blood donations during December and January,” said Col. Christopher Evans, Army Blood Program director. “Because blood products have a natural expiration date, we can’t stockpile indefinitely to cover this gap. To solve this, the Army Blood Program has designated Fort Leonard Wood as the West winter blood collection hub. We are conducting this targeted drive to aggressively counter the winter slump and ensure our supply chain remains unbroken heading into the new year."
Blood will flow from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and all military units on Fort Leonard Wood, government civilian employees and Tricare beneficiaries in the local community are asked to give.
Donated blood helps service members and their families throughout the Department of War have a better chance of winning their battle against illness and injury.
Blood donors must weigh at least 116 pounds, be at least 17 years old and have been feeling well for at least three days before the drive. They must also be well hydrated and have eaten something before donating. Those wanting to donate should know what foreign countries they’ve traveled to in the past 12 months and bring a photo ID with them to verify eligibility.
Fort Leonard Wood Regulation 690-12, Civilian Personnel Leave Administration, encourages government employees to donate blood and grants excused absence for the time necessary to do so as well as recuperate afterwards and travel to and from the donation site. The maximum excused absence can’t exceed four hours, and supervisor coordination is required.
“Having an ample blood supply available for combatant commanders and special operations forces is a must to keep our forces fit to fight,” Evans said. “We’re thankful we can surge resources at Fort Leonard Wood to meet mission requirements effectively, leveraging our trainee and permanent party populations to save lives."
Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, said he’s excited to accept this challenge and show everyone the post’s compassion.
“Currently, the Department of War’s blood inventories are below optimal levels and we need to do all we can to replenish those critical supplies,” he said. “At Fort Leonard Wood, we’re committed to supporting the medical needs of our military community and uphold the values of service and sacrifice. The Armed Services Blood Program enables high-quality care for Department of War beneficiaries, ultimately enhancing the readiness and resilience of our forces.”
Evans said failing to collect the required units at the winter drive is not an option.
"If we do not meet these goals, we place an immediate strain on our military treatment facilities and contingency blood supplies globally,” Evans said. “Failure here creates a gap in coverage that could impact wounded warriors downrange.”
“Success is mandatory because it ensures that when a service member needs blood, whether in a training accident or a combat zone, the supply is there waiting for them – we owe them that for putting their lives on the line for our freedom.”
For more information about the ASBP Winter Drive or to schedule your unit to donate, call 573-596-6150 or email Carl.A.Norman2.civ@health.mil.
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