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Blood for the armed forces

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Angelica Powell
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The Armed Services Blood Program held a blood drive at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Nov. 6.

This was not the first visit to Cannon by the ASBP and it will not be the last. The plan is to return each quarter with new goals to provide blood for service members.

"We always have a current goal, but each drop is more than we had before, so please give blood whenever you have the chance," said Ana Avila, ASBP blood drive supervisor.

Airmen and civilians took time out of their day to save lives. Staff Sgt. Cherie Anne San Pedro, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron, had already donated six times at Cannon during visits from the ASBP.

"I live to give blood," San Pedro said. "I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to help out troops in need. My brother was a U.S. Army infantryman. The possibility of him needing someone like me just to take a few minutes out of their day and give blood was why I started donating years ago."

Blood taken by the ASBP is scheduled to arrive in Afghanistan within seven days. All blood collected will stay within the armed services. After the blood has been dispersed to the military hospitals, the furthest it will get from the military will be the Veteran Affairs.

"When we run out of any blood type, we have to buy it from the United Blood Services for up to $500 per pint," said Spc. Danielle Kern, ASBP nurse. Universal donors, or those with O-negative blood, are probably the most beneficial to donate because their blood can be given to anyone. Oddly enough, people with that blood type can only receive that blood type from others."

Senior Airman Jessica Alexander, 27th Special Operations Force Support Squadron, was a first-time donor and admitted to being more than a little nervous about the process.

"It's not really just about the needles," Alexander said. "I'm kind of nervous about the whole blood part, but I have a rare blood type and donating could save lives."

Her fear was a small obstacle is comparison to the good it will do for fellow troops.

The medical staff with ASBP attests to the fact that before donating, hydrating as early as two weeks prior is critical. Also, eating a complete meal the night and morning before giving blood goes a long way.

For upcoming opportunities to donate blood on base, keep an eye on the 27th Special Operations Wing Facebook page.

Click here for a slideshow of more images.

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