LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
Blood flows in theater, both enemy and friendly, in those still fighting and those struck down. As U.S. service members continue to fight the Global War on Terrorism, those at home are asked to share the gift of life to those who protect us.
The Armed Services Blood Program collects blood in the Hampton Roads area to provide quality blood products for all Department of Defense worldwide customers.
The blood collected in the Hampton Roads area is distributed to bases as close as Langley and Marine Corps installations like Cherry Point and Camp Lejeune to as far away as Naples, Italy, and areas within the AOR on a constant basis. Of the blood collected, 50 percent is sent directly overseas in support of active military operations.
“Blood has a short shelf life,” said Navy Cmdr. Mark Crowell, blood bank officer. “So the need is continuous.”
Red blood cells are good for 42 days, frozen plasma is good for one year, and platelets last five days, according to Commander Crowell. The program needs to collect 125 pints of whole blood a week to meet medical center and military hospital needs, and operational quotas.
With need for blood up, donors like Dean Black are greatly appreciated. He’s been donating blood since 1987, and has given more than 50 times.
“While I was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, I wasn’t deployed, so I thought I’d still do my part by giving blood,” said Mr. Black, the blood representative for the Air Combat Command Inspector General’s office. “This way I can do my part helping both people at home and deployed.”
Blood donors can only give once every 56 days, according to the American Red Cross, and only a single pint at each donation, approximately one tenth of the blood in an average adult, is taken.
Such little amounts of blood may not seem like much, but areas like the AOR appreciate every drop they receive from donations here in the states.
“Blood being donated at Langley is being used to save lives,” said Lt. Col. Richard Mello, CENTCOM AOR Area Joint Blood Program Officer. “People that donate need to understand this, and supervisors need to encourage their people to donate.”
Mr. Black had one more point on giving blood.
“There’s a lot of people who can’t give blood due to trips to Europe, diseases or a host of other reasons,” he said. “But blood can only be given, it can’t be bought.”