SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Armed Services Blood Program Europe hosted a Star Wars themed blood drive at the Brick House here, May 10, 2017.
Participants from ASBP, Spangdahlem Red Cross and the 52nd Medical Support Squadron assisted in collecting donor’s blood that directly supports military service members and their families in need worldwide.
Donors watched portions of the Star Wars series while they were screened by members of the ASBP team to ensure 100 percent eligibility to give blood.
“I think the Star Wars theme helps get people excited about donating blood,” said Alex McCormick, blood donor and son of Senior Master Sgt. Michael McCormick, 726th Air Mobility Squadron maintenance superintendent. “It’s a great distraction for the person getting their blood taken.”
Fortunately, donors don’t have to wonder what galaxy the blood they donate is going to.
“All of the blood we collect from the military stays within the military,” said Colleen Urban, ASBP Europe blood recruiter. “It’s used to treat service members, their families, Department of Defense civilians and retirees.”
Members within the military who benefit from the blood donated include patients with cancer, traumatic injuries, battlefield injuries, undergoing surgical procedures and others seeking help at a military medical treatment facility.
“It’s nice to know where my blood goes,” McCormick said. “But, at the end of the day I know it’s going to someone who needs that pint of blood more than I do.”
Urban said unfortunately, blood is a perishable product, only lasting 42 days.
“It is very difficult to collect blood in Europe because of the rules and restrictions on blood donations regulated by the Food and Drug Administration,” Urban said. “One restriction limits donating blood if you have lived in certain countries in Europe for more than five years; Germany being one of them.”
However, Urban said the rules are in place to have a safe supply of blood.
Currently, a scheduled blood drive takes place at Spangdahlem approximately every 56 days, allowing a constant replenished stock of blood for patients in need. Also, 56 days is the least amount of time a donor can wait before their next donation.
Urban said she encourages everyone to donate, or to help encourage others if they are ineligible.
“The blood we collect goes downrange, but it also stays within the local military community,” Urban said. “You never know when you or a loved one may need it.”
Mark your calendars for these upcoming Spangdahlem blood drives:
July 12, 2017
Sept. 6, 2017
Nov. 1, 2017
Jan. 3, 2018