ISAF blood drive benefits Afghans

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

09.10.2010

Courtesy Story

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

KABUL – The first-ever ISAF blood drive benefitting the Afghan population was a success, said event organizers, and resulted in 157 units of blood donated directly to Afghans.

“ISAF personnel want to do something good for the Afghan people," said U.S. Navy Lt. Erick Kleen, with the ISAF medical directorate. “This is one way everybody can contribute, support the Afghan government and provide blood for the blood bank."

Donation numbers are low among the Afghan population during the month of Ramazan, said Dr. Ahmad Masoud Rahmani, the Ministry of Public Health national director for Afghanistan National Blood Safety and Transfusion Services. Finding certain types of blood is also difficult among the Afghan population, said Dr. Rahmani.

"It is very difficult to find donors with negative blood among Afghans,” said Dr. Rahmani. “The only source where we can fulfill our needs from is the international community."

The blood drive, held on Sept. 7, was coordinated with the Ministry of Public Health. Service members and civilians from numerous countries, representing NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, ISAF, and ISAF Joint Command, came together to help the Afghan people in a time of need.

French Col. Claude Bellard, ISAF financial controller, was one such donor.

"I am a donor in France. I found it normal to give my blood," he said. "We are in this country to help. In this way, I can help."

Organizers for the ISAF blood drive set a goal to collect 100 units of blood. At the end of the day, 157 units had been donated.

Many who participated were regular donors in their home country. U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mark McCullohs with NTM-A was eager to help out.

"I like helping to save people's lives," he said. "I've given over four gallons of blood in my lifetime."
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Robert Valladares with NTM-A knew he would have the opportunity to donate blood in Afghanistan.

"I was sent here to do something for this country," Valladares said. "If it means donating blood then I'll donate."

With such a positive response from this first ISAF blood drive there are talks of holding more.

"I'm thinking that if they are worried about their blood supply during Ramazan then we should make this an annual event," said Canadian Col. Hilary Jaeger, ISAF medical advisor. "We might even hold blood drives at points in the year."

"The response was excellent," said Dr. Rahmani, "We really appreciate the sympathies and positive contributions of the ISAF colleagues."

For more information, including pictures, please visit: http://ntm-a.com/news/1-categorynews/1341-coalition-gives-blood-to-afgha?lang

• Date Taken: 09.10.2010
• Date Posted: 09.10.2010 05:48
• Story ID: 55996
• Location: KABUL, AF