Iron Brigade hosts blood donation event

Photo By Sgt. Scyrrus Corregidor | Larry Gilliam, a Capt. in the U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol and volunteer, hands a t-shirt to Spc. Mario Martinez, a M1 Abrams tank crew member assigned to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, March 3, 2022, during a blood drive hosted by the Armed Service Blood Program (ASBP) at Fort Carson, Colorado. The ASBP is based out of Fort Bliss, and is the official military provider of blood products to U.S. Armed Forces. Soldiers who donated blood or plasma received an ASBP t-shirt for their selfless service to potentially save another Soldier’s life. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

03.04.2022

Story by Sgt. Kelsey Simmons 

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers and Civilians with the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division and the Fort Bliss Blood Donation Center worked together to collect blood donations in support of the Army Services Blood Program, March 1-3, 2022, at Fort Carson, Colorado.

The ASBP provides quality blood products for service members, Veterans and their Families in times of peace and war.

“The blood donated helps us to treat and potentially save the lives of our fellow Soldiers around us, especially on the battlefield,” said Spc. Natellia Olmodo, a combat medic from Athens, Alabama, assigned to 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg.

Soldiers with the Fort Bliss Blood Donation Center traveled from Texas to Fort Carson to set up the event with the 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg., and the amount of blood received made the trip well worth it.

“50 units of blood was the goal for the week,” said Staff Sgt. Jordan Dean, a combat medic from Prescott, Arizona, assigned to 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “Over the course of three days, 310 units of blood and 30 units of plasma were donated, which equals a market value of $110,980. The usual goal if they’re back at their home station is about 50-100 units a day, so we maxed out their daily goal, which is pretty phenomenal.”

Many soldiers came out to support the program throughout the week by donating blood or plasma.

“I’m here today to donate plasma and help out people who need it,” said Spc. Aarone Bayless, a cavalry scout from San Antonio, Texas, assigned to 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. “I encourage everyone to get out there and donate whenever they can.”

Although the 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Reg. hosted the event, Soldiers across Fort Carson showed up to play their part in helping their community or to at least gain the few incentives unit commanders offered to donators.

“There should be a personal motivation to help out your buddies to your left and your right in case they get hurt,” Dean said. “Furthermore, if Soldiers donate, they get an ASBP shirt. Commanders also gave incentives such as late work calls; However, they’re guaranteed to get a t-shirt and to know they did something good for the DoD community.”

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• Date Taken: 03.04.2022
• Date Posted: 03.04.2022 15:33
• Story ID: 415788
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US
• Hometown: ATHENS, AL, US
• Hometown: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: PRESCOTT, AZ, US