ASBP needs blood donors

  • Published
  • By Sheila Rupp
  • Nucleus Staff
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  In less than an hour, an individual can go through an initial screening process, donate blood and recharge with cookies and juice, all while becoming a hero in someone else's eyes.

The William Beaumont Army Medical Center will be here for an Armed Services Blood Program blood drive Sept. 11 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Rio Grande Conference Center.

The ASBP provides blood and blood products for more than 1.3 million servicemembers and their families worldwide. Blood must be collected regularly because it is needed on an ongoing basis for routine medical treatment facilities as well as contingency operations.

The entire donation process takes approximately 45 minutes from the initial screening process to the recovery period, with the actual draw taking only about 10 minutes.

Donors can give blood every eight weeks and each donation can save up to three lives. Donors are required to weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age. An individual's system should be clear of antibiotics for three days prior to donation. 

Pregnant women and those who have had a piercing within the past 12 months are not eligible to donate. For more information about donation restrictions and deferrals visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil/CanIDonate/index.cfm.

Those not eligible to donate can still help the ASBP by offering to go along with friends, family and co-workers for moral support, or by helping to cover shifts so that everyone eligible to donate is able.

To avoid waiting in lines at the donation collection site, appointments can be made at http://militarylifeforce.com/. All site users must register and create a profile in order to make an appointment. The keyword to search for the drive is "Kirtland," or search by date or zip code.