Photo by Alex McVeigh Col. Stephen Beardsley, Northern Regional blood manager for the Armed Services Blood Program, talks about his goals for the Pentagon Blood Donor Center, which just re-opened in its new location Jan. 22 during the open house.

The center is one of several locations in the National Capital Region that collects for the Armed Services Blood Program, collecting whole blood and platelets.

The open house was an opportunity to show Pentagon employees where the new home of the blood donor center was, as well as offer regular donors a chance to check out the new digs.

Steve Whiteman, who works in the Pentagon with the office of the Assistant for Information for the Undersecretary of the Navy, started donating when he moved into the Pentagon from the Navy Annex in 2008. He brought his wife with him, and they donate on a regular basis. Steve donated about 20 times last year alone.

His wife Vicki, who works at Quantico for Marine Corps Systems Command, credits the professionalism of the staff for her return visits.

‘‘I hate needles, but they’re great here, they really baby me,” Vicki said, ‘‘This new location is great, it should make it easier for people to drop in and donate.”

The Pentagon Blood Donor Center takes donations of whole blood and platelets. Platelets, a component of blood which is essential for clotting, are in the highest demand. They are only viable for five days after they are extracted, so there is a constant need for fresh supplies.

‘‘Myfather, who served in the Army, set a great example ofdonating blood on a regular basis. We used to donate togetherwhen I was inhigh school,” said Greg Pierce, who works with the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, and donates once every few weeks. ‘‘He encouraged me to become a regular donorand I’ve enjoyeddonating on a regularbasis ever since.”

Ninety percent of the whole blood taken for the Armed Services Blood Program goes directly into theater to treat wounded warriors overseas. Platelet donations go to treat patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The extraction process takes about two hours, as the blood is withdrawn from the patients. The platelets are separated from the blood, and the remaining components are put back into the patients.

The Pentagon Blood Donor Center offers DVD players and a selection of DVDs are available for patients to make the time go by quicker.

Due to the length of the process, donors are encouraged to make an appointment for platelet donation. People donating whole blood can just walk in, but an appointment could be necessary to ensure an open machine.

Col. Stephen Beardsley, Northern Regional blood manager for the Army, said he hopes that the new location will help attract new donors, as well as make it easier for regular donors to get there.

Before the open house concluded, a special presentation was given to Ellen P. Embrey, the assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. Embrey was a personal advocate in getting the new location for the donor center, and she was given a plaque and bouquet of flowers from the Soldiers who work at the center.

‘‘The Armed Services Blood Program has been near and dear to my heart for a long time,” Embrey said. ‘‘It’s been quite a journey, but the leadership here has been extraordinary.”

The center is now located in 2D1063, part of the main concourse. The blood program also holds collections at the Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., Fort Meade, Md. and the National Security Agency.

To reach the Pentagon Blood Donor Center, call (703) 697-0144, (703) 697-0153 or (703) 697-0157. For more information on the Armed Services Blood Program, including how to find if you’re eligible to donate and finding a donor center near you, visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil.