Editor’s Note: This story originally ran July 7.
As Chief Petty Officer Roy Jaquez walked through the mezzanine level of Bldg. 9 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with his family, the Sailor noticed personnel from the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) hosting a blood drive. He decided to stop to donate “the gift of life.”
“I walked by and they had it set up,” Jaquez said with a laugh in explaining his simple reason for donating. His young son proudly watched his father donate.
During the two-day blood drive at WRNMMC June 29-30, ASBP staff serviced 90 donors and collected more than 60 units according to Shawntel Trowell, public affairs specialist/blood donor recruiter for the Armed Services Blood Bank Center-National Capital Region/ASBP at WRNMMC.
“It is extremely important for people to donate because there is no substitute for human blood, and it is only good for 35 to 42 days after collection,” Trowell explained. “Platelets have to be used within five days after collection. Also, every day brings advances in lifesaving techniques, many of which require blood or blood products,” she continued.
“It is also important to donate with the ASBP because our mission is the troops, their families and veterans. We serve those who serve,” Trowell said.
The summer can pose an additional challenge for blood and platelet donations because of vacations and other seasonal activities which can keep people busy, donor center officials explained. They remind regular and potential donors the need for lifesaving blood and platelet donations is constant to maintain a sufficient supply for patients.
Trowell added there are two ASBP donor centers in the area. In addition to the WRNMMC donor center, there is one at the Pentagon. Those interested in hosting a blood drive can call Trowell at 240-271-8108, or Donna Onwona at 202-294-6674.
“We are the official blood program of the U.S. military,” Trowell stated. For more information, visit the ASBP site at www.militaryblood.dod.mil.