MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - The Armed Services Blood Program made its way to Marine Corps Air Station New River to gather blood donors in a blood drive to help save service members’ lives, March 25.
The ASBP provides a role in getting blood for service members in combat zones and stateside. They work with all the military services to collect, distribute and transfuse blood worldwide.
The ASBP had their recreational vehicle that they turned into a mobile blood donation center at the New River Medical Clinic parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. collecting blood.
“We are not like the Red Cross. We don’t get any money from doing this or selling the blood,” said John Brown, ASBP nurse. “All of our blood goes directly to the men and women of the armed forces.”
Many service members aboard the air station have given blood multiple times.
“It is always good to see repeat givers as well as the first-timers,” said Renellen Rodriguez, ASBP nurse. “We always have a need for blood so we do our best to get as much as we can.”
Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Rivera, New River Medical Clinic hospital corpsman said this was his third time giving blood.
“Whenever I can and when the blood drive comes to the air station I make sure to get out there and do my part,” said Rivera.
After giving blood, donators are not allowed to give again for 57 days. So the ASBP will not be back for at least another two months, said Brown. This is one of the reasons why there is a shortage and the quota for certain blood types changes so often, he added.
“We are so thankful for all the blood we receive from everyone. It really does make a difference in someone’s life,” said Rodriguez.