By Mark Salcedo
Special to GUIDON

As the holiday gift giving season rolls around, the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center staff asks that the Armed Services Blood Program be kept at the top of everyone’s list.

“When you donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program, you help save people’s lives who are serving their country,” said Lt. Col. Dale Deehr, Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center officer-in-charge. “Providing quality blood and blood products and services for all worldwide customers in peace and war is our mission because someone, somewhere needs blood every hour of the day.”

In addition to routine types of blood needs, the donor center has an urgent need for type AB plasma.

“We need all types of blood to take care of our military patients, as well as our service members injured down range,” Deehr said. “However, our blood donor center was recently directed to increase collections for O Negative blood and AB plasma specifically.”

Only about 4 percent of the nation’s population has AB type blood and they possess the unique gift of universal plasma, Deehr said.

“This is a crucial in treating trauma patients, burn victims and people with bleeding disorders,” he said.

Statistically, the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center must screen more than 1,000 donors every week to collect enough AB   plasma.

“But, due to the urgent need, we’re asking people who have AB blood type to contact the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center at 596.5385 to see if they’re eligible to donate,” he said. “This will allow us to meet needs quicker, saving more lives in the process.”

The best way for someone to check their eligibility status is to call the center or visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

“If they’re on medication or have traveled extensively, provide that information to our staff,” he said. “Once we determine that a donor is eligible, we can schedule them to donate and the much-needed plasma can be on its way.”

Where does my blood go?
A majority of donated blood goes directly to support health care missions at forward combat hospitals in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany, Deehr said. Blood products are normally shipped four to five days after being collected. Some may also be shipped to military hospitals around the United States to support follow-on care for those injured in combat.


Who and where to give blood?
Military blood drives are open to all service members, their families, DOD and other federal civilian employees and retirees.

“Donations from civilians meeting the eligibility criteria who have access to an Armed Services blood drive will be gratefully accepted,” Deehr said. Here are some general guidelines for donating blood. Donors must:

- Weigh at least 110 pounds

- Be at least 17 years old

- Have been feeling well for at least three days

- Be well hydrated

- Have eaten something before donating

The Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor  Center is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. It’s located at Bldg. 790 Utah (between Buckeye Ave and Alabama).

For unit- sponsored blood drives, call 596.5385 to coordinate a date and time.

(Editor’s note: Salcedo writes for the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center.)