Kirtland Airman gives blood year round

  • Published
  • By Jonathan Rejent
  • Nucleus staff writer
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM --  Although the holidays may be in the rearview mirror, some Airmen at Kirtland Air Force Base choose to give year round.

Senior Airman John Thompson, 377th Security Forces Squadron, is among them.

His gift is giving blood.

While Thompson said he initially began donating blood because it was a free pass to get out of class in high school, the reason he continued the habit is more selfless -- to help others.

"I just kept doing it; it's a good thing to do," Thompson said. "One pint of blood can save three people."

According to the Armed Services Blood Program, donors can give blood approximately every eight weeks; Thomas, who isn't afraid of needles, said the regularity isn't a big deal.

"I can't even feel it anymore because I've been poked there so many times," Thomas said, pointing to a scar on his arm.

He said for some people, it's the sight of blood -- not needles -- that keeps them away from donating.

"I've been hunting and fishing since I was a little kid. I've done my fair share of gutting elk, deer and fish ... I've seen lots of blood."

But blood isn't the only thing Thompson donates regularly. Shortly after being assigned to Kirtland AFB in 2008, he said people informed him about plasma donation.

"I donated plasma twice a week for about a year and half," he said, which equated to approximately 150 donations.

Although some people donate plasma simply for the slight financial gain, Thompson doesn't fall into that category. He said, just as with donating blood, it's a way for him to aid others.

Plasma donations are vital for treating patients with life-threatening diseases, according to the American Red Cross.

Thompson said at the outset, he never had planned to make donating such a recurring practice, but he has no plans of letting up anytime soon.

"I'll continue to donate until they say, 'you cannot come back here anymore,'" he said. "It always goes to a good cause."

Donors from all services, government employees, retirees, military family members and civilians can donate to the ASBP.

The next ASBP blood drive is from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 14 and noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the base theater.

For more information about the ASBP, call Sue Pearson at 846-3705 or email susan.pearson@kirtland.af.mil.