Photo By Carl Norman | Ashley Gerstenberger, Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center phlebotomist, prepares Pvt....... read more read more
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The Fort Leonard Wood community saved thousands of lives in 2021 while simply ‘lounging comfortably and watching a movie’ at the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center (FLWBDC) in Missouri; the donor center’s third highest collection year in the past decade. More than 7,000 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to donate lifesaving blood to the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) last year. The comfortable setup for those giving blood, featuring snacks and television screens, was popular this year.
Since one unit can be separated into plasma and red blood cells, these donations could potentially translate into double the amount of blood products being made available to ill and injured people throughout the Department of Defense. Putting this into perspective, the collected blood could make one type of product available to every Soldier in two average-size Army brigades. Additionally, the government saved millions in funds by not having to procure blood products from commercial sources.
“We can’t say thank you enough to those who donated with us in 2021,” said Army Lt. Col. James Burke, FLWBDC director. “Your compassion is saving lives around the world. We can only collect those from volunteer donors like you. Thank you for helping us help others.”
Because Fort Leonard Wood is a training installation, the lion’s share of donations came from Soldiers in training in 2021 but the FLWBDC staff saw numerous donors from the permanent party and civilian communities as well. The Military Healthcare System requires hundreds of units of blood every day to meet operational requirements worldwide. Each donor is a true hero, according to Burke.
“It makes me proud to see so many young men and women donate to a cause that’s bigger than themselves,” he said. “Without them, we couldn’t accomplish our mission. Donating blood is something most people don’t think about until illness or injury strikes. We’re asking everyone to think about the people who are already there.”
In all, more than 60 on-post organizations donated blood at the FLWBDC last year. To salute those who went above and beyond, the staff offers its final list of Top 10 Donating Units for 2021.
1) Marine Corps Detachment (LPT section)
2) 5th Engineer Battalion
3) Delta Company, 787th Military Police Battalion
4) Alpha Company, 35th Engineer Battalion
5) Delta Company, 554th Engineer Battalion
6) Bravo Company, 169th Engineer Battalion
7) Alpha Company, 554th Engineer Battalion
8) Fitness Training Company
9) Tie: General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital and Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment
10) Maneuver Support Center of Excellence complex
“Donating is a simple act that doesn’t take much time but can have life-changing results. While we thank everyone who donated in 2021, we ask others to follow their lead for another record-setting year in 2022.”
For more information about the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center, call 573-596-6150 or email Carl.A.Norman2.civ@mail.mil.
About the ASBP
Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) has served as the sole provider of blood for the United States military. Our mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide. The ASBP collects, processes, stores, and distributes blood products to service members, their families and retirees in peace and war. In an ASBP Enterprise view – Military Health Affairs, Defense Health Agency, Service Blood Programs and Combatant Commands - we operate under common goals, metrics, procedures and work together to shape the future. Our program also works closely with our civilian counterparts in times of need to maximize the availability of this national treasure.
To find out more about the ASBP or schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members or get the latest news, follow us @militaryblood on Facebook, Twitter and @usmilitaryblood on Instagram. To view more photos or videos, find us on Flickr and YouTube at /militaryblood.
| Date Taken: | 02.23.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 02.24.2022 08:44 |
| Story ID: | 415110 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 178 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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