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FORT HOOD, Texas — Donors, volunteers, and units were honored Thursday at the Annual Blood Donor Recognition Ceremony at Robertson Blood Center here, Jan. 31.
Among the many donors and supporting units attending the ceremony was a man who was on the receiving end of these blood donations on more than one occasion.
Sgt. First Class Karl Pasco, Fort Hood Warrior Transition Brigade, wounded warrior, gave a personal account at the ceremony about his combat injuries and the significance of donating blood when not in theater.
“I can honestly say that none of the blood within me is mine,” Pasco said. “I don’t know how many units of blood were transfused. I’m a bigger guy so I don’t know how much I hold but I’d guess more than average.”
“I had the bad luck to have been in the wrong place at the right time, not just once, but twice,” said Pasco who deployed twice to Iraq.
Pasco suffered two separate life-threatening injuries during two different deployments in Iraq and has since undergone multiple blood transfusions.
“I think most of us agree, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for our buddy out there on the battlefield,” Pasco said. “This is the same thing you would do on the battlefield, only you have the opportunity to do it here at home.”
The ceremony recognized National Blood Donor Month, and awarded outstanding units and volunteers who sacrificed time and blood on more than one occasion in 2012.
“It is important that we recognize the donors that make our mission possible,” Staff Sgt. Daniel R. Cruz said, Robertson Blood Center noncommissioned officer-in-charge.
“These awards are just a small token of recognition for the people who make that sacrifice of time and donation of life.”
There is still a constant need for blood even though the awards have been given, said Cruz.
“This is one mission that never ends,” he said. “Some of the blood we collect here will be in Afghanistan in five days, and the blood could go right to service members here or their family members.”
Awards, plaques and certificates were given to contributors and unit representatives in appreciation for their vital efforts. Units were given awards according to size of the unit and command.
The 31st Chemical Company, inactivated in December, earned the small unit award for most donations with less than 500 personnel.
“We scheduled company blood drives as often as possible,” Capt. Jon K. Phillips said, 31st Chemical Company, company commander. “We tried to schedule them on Friday mornings so we could award soldiers with time off for donating.”
The 1st Cavalry Division, Horse Cavalry Detachment, while limited in personnel, still managed to earn the title of most donations in the 1st Cav. Division.
The U.S. Army Garrison Reception Detachment took number one for the most donations on Fort Hood, proving that a small amount of donors who consistently donate can really add up.
Other units were recognized for partnership with the Armed Services Blood Program as well as contributions made to promote blood drives.
III Corps Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion earned the Inaugural Blood Warrior Award for consistent donations, even through the holiday season, setting the bar for organizing and promoting blood drive events.
Robertson Blood Center is located on 761st Tank Battalion Avenue, Bldg. 2250 and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. and Thursday noon through 3:30 p.m.
Those who are interested in donating or scheduling a blood drive can contact Catherine Tharpe, public affairs specialist for Donor Recruitment at 254-287-5938 or email catherine.tharpe@us.army.mil.
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2013 16:37 |
| Story ID: | 101872 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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