JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
The Akeroyd Blood Donor Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston has an urgent need for AB-positive or AB-negative plasma donors.
Only about four percent of the nation's population has AB type blood and they possess a unique gift –universal plasma – which is a crucial blood component in treating trauma patients, burn victims, and those with bleeding disorders.
Plasma donations are open to all service members, their family members, Department of Defense and other federal civilian and retirees.
General guidelines for plasma donors:
. Male
. Female with no previous pregnancy, due to transfusion-related acute lung injury risk
. Must weigh at least 116 pounds
. Must be screened by the Akeroyd Blood Donor Center staff before scheduling an appointment. Screening takes about 5-10 minutes.
. Appointments will be scheduled from 4:30-11 a.m., Tuesday through Friday
. Must meet the same requirements as a whole blood donor
Bring the following items when donating:
. List of medications
. List of foreign countries the donor has traveled to (when, where, how long)
. Photo ID (military ID, driver's license)
During the donation process, blood is drawn from one arm through an automated collection system. This system separates and collects the plasma and then safely returns the remaining blood components back to the donor. The donation process takes approximately 35-45 minutes.
For more information, call the Akeroyd Blood Donor Center at 210-295-4655.