Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph –
The 902nd Security Forces Squadron held a blood drive July 9
at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
The blood drive, coordinated with the Armed Services Blood
Program, will help supply blood to wounded service members deployed to
Afghanistan, San Antonio Military Medical Center and to local Veterans Affairs
hospitals.
“We have a few different missions; the biggest is to support
troops in Afghanistan,” Cheryl Parmer, Armed Services Blood Program blood donor
recruiter, said. “Shipments are sent there every week. We get blood there by
the time it is four days old. So, if you donate on a Monday, your blood could
be in Afghanistan on Friday. We deliver 500-600 pints of blood every month to
Afghanistan.”
Donating blood is a way to help those in need, Tech. Sgt.
Nathan Combs, 902nd SFS NCO in charge of anti-terrorism, said.
“Any donations provided are going to benefit wounded war
fighters, people undergoing surgery or involved in a traumatic accident,” Combs
said.
The donor center at JBSA-Lackland is open Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and can be contacted at 292-8145 to check where the
nearest blood drive is taking place or to organize a blood drive.
“I called the JBSA-Lackland Blood Center and they were able
to tell me how easy it was to set up a blood drive,” Combs said. “They just
needed a place, a time and donors. Getting donors is the hardest part.”
“The needle can be intimidating for some that are not very
experienced with IVs or donating blood, but the process is easy and the people
will make you feel very calm,” Combs said. “You go in, they hook an IV up to
you and hopefully you can save a life.”
Those who are donating blood are advised to be
well-hydrated, take all of their normal daily medication and eat a good meal
before and after donating.
“I always say, ‘you just saved someone’s life, you deserve a
steak and potatoes,’” Parmer said.
Donating blood is a simple way to help those in need at home
and in harm’s way.
“One of our core values is service before self, and when you
donate blood you can save the lives of up to three people,” 2nd Lt. Sol
Grosskopf, 502nd Air Base Wing chaplain candidate and blood donor, said. “So, a
finger prick and a needle in the arm are a small price to pay. It’s a great
opportunity to serve others.”