Volunteers donate over 80 units of blood at drive

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Norris
  • 452nd AMW Public Affairs
MARCH ARB, Calif. --  Over 100 donors gave blood during the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) drive held at March ARB Sep. 19. The donors' generous contributions resulted in 87 units of blood, which could benefit up to 261 military members or dependents. 

This was the San Diego-based ASBP unit's first trip to March, said Doreen Rekoski, a blood donor recruiter and public affairs specialist. "The blood drive was a huge success and we were so happy with the turnout. From the moment we opened the drive to the time we closed at 3 p.m., the donors never stopped coming," she said. 

The blood drive was held at the corner of Meyer and Graeber from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rekoski said there was an almost constant line of Airmen, Marines and family members waiting patiently to donate. The donors waited outside to be screened and have their vitals taken before entering one of the two ASBP trailers at the site. 

"The support was awesome and inspiring. People withstood the heat to donate blood to the troops," said Rekoski. 

The ASBP is the official U.S. military blood program., providing a direct path to helping military members and their family members who need blood or platelets. However, this privilege does come with limitations. ASBP blood drives must be held on federally-leased property or military installations. Their donors have to be somehow associated with the military: military members, dependents, retirees, or government employees. 

The blood donated at the March ARB drive will be processed by the Blood Donor Center at Naval Medical Center San Diego. "All units we collect stay within the military. Some units will be shipped to Afghanistan and Iraq and some units will go out with the Navy ships as they deploy Rekoski said. 

However, some blood will stay local and will be used to help patients at the Naval Medical Center San Diego, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, and the VA hospital in La Jolla. Some blood will even go to the NMCSD Comprehensive Combat and Complex Casualty Care program, which is the premier west coast facility for wounded warriors , said Rekoski. 

Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Brockelsby, a 452 AMW flight chief, was one of the donors. Even though he had to wait in line Brockelsby said, "I knew this was a good cause to support our troops. I've been to blood banks that took longer, so this was very efficient." 

Marine Sgt. David Perry took time to donate blood Saturday. He is stationed at Camp Pendleton, but is on temporary duty at March with the air arrival and departure control group. He said he donated blood because it was important and because "I like to help out." 

Rekoski said, "It was an awesome blood drive. On behalf of the Blood Donor Center at Naval Medical Center San Diego, we are so grateful for the support." 

Captain Anna Ruiz, Executive Officer for the 452nd Mission Support Group, volunteered to coordinate, advertise and oversee the blood drive. "It was definitely rewarding considering the blood collected Saturday will be in Iraq and Afghanistan in less than five days helping save the lives of our wounded warriors," said Ruiz. She agreed with Rekoski that the drive was a success and Ruiz has plans to "start working on a future return date for them real soon."