Red, white, blue saves lives Published Aug. 8, 2016 By Airman 1st Class Tenley Long 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Red, white and blue flows through all of us. Not only in a metaphorical “American pride” sense but through blue veins filled with red and white blood cells. The Armed Services Blood Program is scheduled to conduct a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 9, 2016, at the main basketball court inside the Sports and Fitness Center on RAF Lakenheath. “Giving blood is important, because blood must be collected constantly to replace aging contingency supplies and also meet the peacetime needs of the military health system,” mentioned Colleen M. Urban, ASBP blood donor recruiter and public affairs specialist. “The purpose of the blood drive is to collect blood. The ASBP is a Department of Defense program and all of the blood collected stays within the military community. It truly is ‘our’ blood supply.” This isn’t just any blood drive; the blood donated will be used for service members and their families. “The blood is going to anyone receiving care at a military treatment facility that needs blood,” Urban explained. “This includes service members, dependents, DoD civilians and retirees. For example, it could be a service member injured in combat, it could be a spouse receiving cancer treatment or it could be a newborn baby.” Staff Sgt. Jessica Daniels, the coordinator of the blood drive, is responsible for setting up the blood drive along with Urban. She also had to recruit volunteers and donators. “Our brothers and sisters in arms rely on the blood we collect,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessica Daniels, 48th Medical Support Squadron NCO in charge of urinalysis. “One unit of blood can save up to three people’s lives! If saving lives isn’t enough incentive, there will be cupcakes and other snacks available for those who donate.” Although many people want to contribute, there are some disqualifying factors to consider. “In order to donate, you must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds,” Daniels explained. “The top disqualifiers I have noticed here were people who have spent more than five years overseas and people who have lived in Europe between 1980 through 1996 for more than three months.” Collecting blood in Europe has its challenges due to the restrictions, but there are other ways to contribute. “We hope you will come out and donate,” Urban said. “If you aren't eligible, you can still help by getting a friend or family member to donate, volunteering at a drive or coordinating a drive!” A complete list of deferrals can be found at www.militaryblood.dod.mil. “You never know when you or someone you love may need blood,” Urban said. To donate some “red, white and blue” schedule an appointment at www.militarydonor.com or walk in the day of.