JBLE to host blood drives

Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia is scheduled to host two blood donation drives during the month of August. The Fort Eustis will directly support the American Red Cross while the separate blood drive at Langley Air Force Base will support the Armed Services Blood Program.

Red Cross

The Fort Eustis blood drive is scheduled for Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the at the Army Reserve center at Fort Eustis.

“Blood drives are really a good thing to take part of if you can do so,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt Laurenti Patton, McDonald Army Health Center laboratory officer-in-charge. “It makes you feel good, that you might have been able help save a life and it doesn’t cost you anything but a little bit of you time. It’s a very rewarding thing to do.”

Visitors without access to Fort Eustis who wish to donate blood must get a pass at the visitor center off-post in order to attend the blood drive.

To schedule an appointment at Fort Eustis, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ and use the sponsor code “Eustis".

Armed Services Blood Program

The blood drive at Langley AFB will be Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Commons.

To schedule an appointment for the Langley drive, visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil. Make a copy of the appointment and bring it to the appointment or walk-ins are available as well. The individual must be older than 17, weigh at least 110 lbs, feel well and must have a Department of of Defense picture ID to volunteer.

“You’re helping people and you’re providing a lifesaving product,” said Ralph Peters, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Blood Donor Center blood donor recruiter, the agency that is hosting the Langley blood drive.

According to Patton, prior to donating, eat a good meal, be well hydrated, and there should a minimum of 60 days from the last time of donation.

If the individual is currently on any medication they must bring the names of the medication to make sure they are eligible for donation.