ASBP blood drive comes to Kirtland AFB Published May 16, 2012 By Stefan Bocchino 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. -- The Armed Services Blood Program conducted a blood drive May 15 and 16 at Kirtland Air Force base to collect blood that goes directly to support casualties of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kirtland AFB is one of several military installations where ASBP goes to regularly get its blood supply. The next blood drive here is Aug. 14 and 15. "Blood has a shelf life of only 42 days and it needs to be constantly replaced," said Lt. Col. Susan Alleyn, William Beaumont Army Medical Center blood donor center chief. "Personnel donating actually increase their immune system by activating their bone marrow to replenish the blood cells. We want to give our military down range a fighting chance to come home to their loved ones." According to Alleyn the blood is shipped within four days of collection to the processing lab. From there it is shipped to Afghanistan, where it arrives between seven to 10 days from the date of collection. "The ASPB has been coming to Kirtland AFB since 1996," said Alleyn." It has been around for more than 40 years providing blood to its injured military during wartime and to its military treatment facilities." More than 84 Team Kirtland members have donated eight or more times, said Alleyn. Many of those people have donated multiple gallons of blood. "It is very important for people to donate if they are eligible," said Alleyn. "Our mission is to make sure that we provide blood down range and to our medical treatment facilities. We cannot do this without your support."