Fresh supplies of blood arrives for use on the wounded at the FRSS, at Forward Operating Base Edinburgh in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. — NELVIN C.CEPEDA / U-T SAN DIEGO.
There was a “blip” on the Pentagon website about the need for more blood donations for the military. It seems twelve long years of war has taken a toll on the military’s blood supplies.
The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is the official military blood program of the U.S. Since its inception over 50 years ago, the ASBP has collected nearly 5 million units of blood (source: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/), to support military service members and their families in both peace and war. Blood is donated to the ASBP by active duty personnel and their families, government employees, military retirees and civilians.
Today, the ASBP consists of approximately 81 blood banks and blood donor centers (see Blood Donor Centers) worldwide; including 22 Food and Drug Administration licensed blood donor centers. The ASBP operates more than 20 blood donor centers in the U.S. and around the world. Blood donor centers are generally located on or near an Army, Navy or Air Force bases (source: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/About/history.aspx).
Many centers conduct mobile blood drives.
Those interested in hosting a blood drive should contact the local blood donor center’s recruiter. It is unclear if the ASBP accepts donations of cash or credit card at this point.
Recruiters can also assist in scheduling times for groups of donors to give blood at the blood donor center, according to the military .
In addition to whole blood donation, some blood donor centers offer platelet apheresis donation. One platelet apheresis donation provides as many platelets as six to ten whole blood donations. Platelet donors can also give platelets more frequently than whole blood, up to 24 times per year.
See video: DOD http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/Video.aspx?videoid=318556