LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Due to the critical need of type AB plasma and platelets, the Lackland Blood Donor Center is trying a different approach to attract Friday donors. And it may appeal to your taste buds.
On May 15 and for the 11 following Fridays, donors will receive a slice of cheesecake from the Cheese Cake Factory, compliments of the center.
"Cheesecake is really good and something different," said Tracy Parmer, public affairs specialist for the Armed Services Blood Program. "It's hard to get people to come in because it takes 90 minutes on a machine plus 30 minutes of paperwork. They get the cheesecake in addition to whatever else we're giving away that day, and this, is our way of saying, thank you."
Mrs. Parmer said the center, which ships plasma weekly in support of contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, also supports Wilford Hall Medical Center, the Veterans Hospital and Brooke Army Medical Center. The platelets must be transfused within five days of donation, and plasma, if frozen, can last up to one year.
While the center gets support from basic military trainees the first part of every week, other units and individuals are needed on Thursdays and Fridays to meet demand.
"The basic trainees and other units have been great," said Mrs. Parmer. "But even if we're out doing a blood drive, we still need people to come into the blood center to donate platelets and plasma on Thursdays and Fridays. That's our biggest need."
She also said no group is too small to have a blood drive; small groups can have their drives at the blood center instead of their office if necessary. Participation, she said, is more important than location.
The center is open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Mrs. Parmer at 292-8145.