Blood drive offers Airmen and families opportunity to donate Published April 28, 2010 By Sara Harr 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs RAF LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Medical Group is working with the Armed Services Blood Program to organize a blood drive at the fitness center here May 11 and 12. The blood drive is being organized as an effort to increase blood availability for U.S. armed forces stationed globally. "You look at the numbers of armed forces members who have died in combat, and those numbers could be a lot higher," said Capt. Robert Curtis, 48th Medical Support Squadron Lab Support Operations chief. "One of the reasons the number isn't higher is because of the availability of blood donated to our armed forces members." Blood used for U.S. armed forces can only be retrieved from federal properties. "Our goal is to receive 300 units of blood," the captain went on to say. "That blood is going to be shipped directly to areas in European Command, Afghanistan, Iraq and African command to help injured service members." Though the blood donations will be used for injured service members according to one of the volunteers, family members also benefit from blood donation. "Our daughter, Sarah, has Guillain Barré Syndrome," said Christina Curtis, a volunteer blood donor recruiter. "We found her completely paralyzed when she was 3 years old, and when she was 9, she was also diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Both are paralyzing diseases, one of which requires a blood treatment called intravenous immuno globulin, which takes at least six compatible people to make a blood product. "She's now 21 and in college - in the honors program," Mrs. Curtis said proudly. "So, when you think about the amount of people who stepped up ... they made it possible for her." To date, the ASBP has received 10,418 units of blood from locations around the world - 1,758 of those from Europe. "Please seriously consider giving up 30 minutes of your day on either May 11 or 12 to give blood and help one of your brothers in arms," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Alexander, 48th Fighter Wing director of staff. Interested parties should be aware the ASBP has made significant changes to blood donation requirements. Previously, individuals who received a tattoo within one year of a blood drive were ineligible to donate. The updated requirements state that an individual tattooed in the U. S. can donate blood in as few as seven days depending on location. However, if an individual has been tattooed in the U. K., they must still wait 12 months before donating blood. Body piercings, excluding ear piercings, received from any location, also require a deferment period of one year. Additional guidance received from the Department of the Army says those who have spent five cumulative years in Europe are automatically ineligible to donate. Similarly, those who spent three or more months in the U. K. from 1980 to 1996 or received blood from off-base sources in the U. K. are ineligible to donate. "If you're not sure if your blood will be accepted, don't be afraid to come down and ask us," said Mrs. Curtis. "Several changes have been made, so you could definitely be eligible to donate." If you would like to donate, the ASBP Web site has a few suggestions for anyone considering donating blood. All donors should: - Weigh at least 110 pounds - Be at least 17 years of age - Have been feeling well for at least three days - Be well hydrated - Eat something prior to donating If you are not eligible to donate blood at this time, there are still ways in which you can assist with this event. Both Captain and Mrs. Curtis say volunteers to help set up and tear down the blood drive station are needed, as well as cookies and juice for the donors. If you are interested in volunteering, call Captain Curtis at DSN 226-8441. For more information about the ASBP, visit http://militaryblood.dod.mil/.