Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    7220th BSD: a small company with a huge mission

    PARWAN PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

    02.11.2011

    Courtesy Story

    Combined Joint Task Force 101

    PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Capt. Naomi Skinner, an environmental science officer for Task Force 62 Medical Brigade from Fort Lewis, Wash., takes a break from her job to lie down and watch a video in the middle of the day Feb. 11.

    Skinner is not just taking a break. She is providing a very important service for fellow soldiers in Afghanistan: donating blood platelets at the 7220th Blood Support Detachment unit located in the Staff Sgt. Heathe N. Craig Joint Theater Hospital on Bagram Air Field.

    All service members can assist the 7220th BSD with their mission by donating platelets.

    “I donate once every other week,” explains Skinner. “I was a regular blood donor in the States and since they do not do regular blood drives here, I chose to donate platelets. It is not painful to donate ... it is my way of helping out and giving back”

    Blood platelet transfusions are used by medical staff for trauma patients who require massive blood transfusions. Platelets help control bleeding by promoting clotting also known as hemostasis.

    “I average about five donors a day. Not all soldiers make their appointments due to missions, but we understand,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Jessica Amador, lab technician for the 7220th BSD from Red Granite, Wis.

    Amador takes pride in her work and takes special care in assuring the donors have a comfortable experience while donating.

    “Sgt. Amador was very attentive to my needs,” said U.S. Army Capt. Tracy Page, the transportation officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 334th Brigade Support Battalion, a part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division from Osceola, Iowa. “She gave me a blanket, offered me snacks and helped me feel relaxed. It was one of the better donating experiences I have had while deployed.”

    The collection of blood platelets is just one of many duties performed by members of the 7220th BSD, an Army Reserve Company based out of Arizona.

    “We are responsible to provide collection, storage and distribution of blood products throughout the entire Afghanistan theater of operation,” said U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Maria Espiritu, the 7220th BSD commander and clinical laboratory officer from Charlotte, N.C. “We conduct split-based operations in Bagram and Kandahar and provide for the distribution of blood products to over 37 sites throughout U.S. Forces Afghanistan and one site in Kyrgyzstan. We are the first Army Reserve unit to perform this mission in country and although there are just 14 of us, we get the job done.”

    Blood product management and distribution requires special monitoring, shipping and storage. Each type of blood product requires different temperatures for storage and shipment. For example, red blood cells need storage between 1-6 degrees Celsius while fresh frozen plasma requires storage at less than or equal to 18 degrees Celsius.

    “We have special containers for shipping called Collins boxes that are able to hold the desired temperature for up to 72 hours without re-icing,” said Espiritu. “We also have smaller boxes called the golden-hour boxes that can be used during emergency evacuations and can hold required temperatures up to 48 hours.”

    Even though they are a small company with only 14 people, they have a huge mission ensuring medical staffs throughout Afghanistan have the blood products necessary to save the lives of wounded service members.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.11.2011
    Date Posted: 02.15.2011 15:10
    Story ID: 65484
    Location: PARWAN PROVINCE, AF

    Web Views: 197
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN