LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The Armed Services Blood Program will host a blood drive July 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Langley Air Force Base (Va.) Chapel Annex.
The drive is open to all Service members, dependents, retirees and civilian employees. Donors can donate blood every 57 days, or every other month at the Langley installation blood drives.
Donors must be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds. Before volunteering to donate, donors should be well rested, properly hydrated and have limited their sugar and caffeine intake. Those engaging in physical exercise should wait two hours before donating.
Refreshments and appreciation gifts will be provided to donors at the drive.
According to Ralph Peters, the ASBP drive coordinator, each donation can potentially save two to three lives. Thirty to 50 donations are typically required for trauma victims or combat casualties.
The ASBP supports all active-duty personnel, both by shipping blood downrange, and locally by providing blood stores to U.S. Air Force Hospital Langley.
"Every volunteer and donor matters. Together, you are literally saving lives," Peters said. "We know that it is a commitment of your time in attending, volunteering and returning to work. Thank you for your support."
The Chapel Annex is located at 180 Dodd Blvd., on Langley. Walk-ins are welcome, but donors may also make an appointment to avoid waiting in line. To make an appointment, visit www.militarydonor.com and follow registration instructions. Print the confirmation page, bring it to the blood drive and show it to a technician.
The program will host subsequent blood drives at the chapel annex each month through November.
For more information about ASBP, donor requirements, registration and more, visit
www.militaryblood.dod.mil.