JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. - –
McDonald Army Health Center and U.S. Army Medical Department Activity will team up with the American Red Cross Blood Services to host a quarterly blood drive at the U.S. Army Reserve Center on Fort Eustis, Virginia, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Each quarter, MCAHC hosts the event with the ARC Mid-Atlantic Region with a goal of collecting approximately 50 units of blood, which can save up to 150 lives.
"Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood," said Kristen Hatfield, ARC communications manager. "When Service members and civilian employees donate blood, they can help save lives."
According to ARC, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. While the units collected may not go directly to the installation, MCAHC earns credits with the ARC for blood collected at each blood drive, saving the installation money when it comes to purchasing units of blood for accident and burn victims, surgery patients, and those who may be receiving treatment for leukemia, other cancers or sickle cell disease.
"We have to pay for each unit of blood we need to use," said U.S. Army Capt. Vidhika Persaud, MCAHC laboratory manager. "So for every unit collected on the installation, that's one less unit we have to pay for out of pocket."
For many individuals, donating is about more than just saving the installation money.
Mark Shanks, U.S. Army Transportation Museum exhibit specialist, has donated more than 10 times at various blood drives on the installation.
"If you have ever seen a bad auto accident with severe injuries or had someone you know have an extensive operation like I have, then you know blood is a key factor in the survival rate [of the patient,]" said Shanks. "Think about [donating blood] like a life you get to give to someone else."
To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org, or walk in during the available time.
"Put yourself in someone's shoes who is in need of blood," said Shanks. "If your sister or your mother was in a situation where their need for blood was the difference between them living or dying, would you want to help?"