RAFs Mildenhall, Lakenheath come up big

  • Published
  • By Mike Peacock
  • ASBP Blood Donor Recruiter
LANDSTUHL, Germany --  The Armed Services Blood Bank Center--Europe (ASBBC-E) enjoyed the most productive week of blood collection in three years when the mobile blood donor team spent the last week of September 2010 in England conducting blood drives at RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath .

Planning for the week-long temporary duty began months prior to the event. Taking the lead on the British side of the drive was Maj. Robert Curtis, chief of laboratory support operations at the Lakenheath military hospital.

Curtis played a vital role in making sure the blood drives went off without a hitch. He ensured the blood drive information was advertised to the community, worked with community groups and leaders to support the drives, recruited volunteers to help at the drives, and fielded every question from eager donors.

His efforts resulted in a huge success for the ASBBC-E--by the end of the week, the ASBBC-E had collected a total of 296 units of life-saving blood.

This was not the first time the Armed Services Blood Program visited RAF Lakenheath. In May 2010, the RAF Lakenheath community responded with 211 donations, so their standard of spectacular support of the Armed Services Blood Program was well-known. And the community did not disappoint this year, either. The first two days there resulted in 234 community members donating 203 units of whole blood.

"The critical element to a successful blood drive is leadership and community support," said Maj. Madelaine Sumera, ASBBC-E chief. "When the [Armed Services Blood Program] blood drive is supported at the highest level of leadership, both enlisted and officer, the wing organizations will come out in masses whether to donate or simply volunteer," she said.

Because the May 2010 blood drive at Lakenheath was so successful, organizers of this year's blood drive decided to add an additional location -- RAF Mildenhall, the first time the Armed Services Blood Program has held a drive at this location in four years. Like RAF Lakenheath, supporters were eager to file into line. The one-day drive at Mildenhall resulted in 120 community members donating 93 units of whole blood.

"The generosity of the men and women who donated their time giving blood speaks volumes and demonstrates their volunteer spirit and willingness to contribute to a cause larger than themselves," said Col. Chad T. Manske, wing commander of the 100th Air Refueling Wing. "I applaud their effort. Their contributions do matter!"

After collecting nearly 300 units of whole blood, the ASBBC-E traveled home to Germany to prepare for more blood drives. Year after year, the communities of Lakenheath and Midenhall continue to support the Armed Services Blood Program, making a huge impact in the lives of those in need of precious blood!

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to make an appointment please visit us online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood.

Editor's note: This story courtesy of the Armed Services Blood Program website.