Courtesy Photo | Corporal Austin Braun, an administrative specialist at Headquarters Marine Corps,...... read more read more
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FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – Since its inception in 1970, National Blood Donor Month has been observed every January, recognizing and honoring people for their contributions. As a part of this effort, the Armed Services Blood Program collects, processes, stores, distributes and transfuses blood worldwide.
The program’s mission is to provide blood products for the U.S. military, their beneficiaries and America’s allies during peace and war.
“We have a personal responsibility and obligation to the Department of Defense to provide blood and blood support for the warfighter and even our allies on the battlefield,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, ASBP director.
The ASBP is different from other programs, as it has the capability to send the U.S. military blood overseas and is quicker in responding to natural disasters. Service members and DOD civilians work hard to ensure they are ready when called upon.
“Our purpose is to collect blood, make sure that the blood is also safe, to provide blood and support for our beneficiaries and warfighters, and to make sure we can meet the needs of the warfighter anywhere, anytime,” said Fahie.
In addition to blood donations, the ASBP also collects platelets from its donors.
Corporal Austin Braun, a frequent blood donor, hopes his donation of whole blood and platelets can someday be used to help save someone’s life.
“Platelets are used for blood clotting,” said Braun. “If someone overseas were to get blown up, they use platelets to clot the open wound.”
Throughout the past 60 years, the ASBP has worked hard to ensure the nation has a safe, potent supply of blood and other resources. According to the ASBP website, the organization is known for their support in many conflicts over the years, including World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, providing blood and resources to service members during these conflicts.
“I feel like I’m here and I’m safe; its not that I don’t need the blood, but if it can go to better cause why not donate,” said Braun.
According to the ASBP website, just one donation can save up to three lives.
“It only takes a few minutes. Its not that bad,” said Lance Cpl. Alex Quiles, a combat photographer with Headquarters Marine Corps Combat Camera.
Donations from service members help the military to take care of there own, according to Quiles.
“For someone like me that’s just sitting at a desk at the Pentagon, knowing that people are shedding blood for me, I feel like its alright to take the time to give a little blood to them,” said Quiles.
| Date Taken: | 01.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2016 11:17 |
| Story ID: | 186630 |
| Location: | FORT GEORGE G MEADE, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ASBP recognizes National Blood Donor Month, by SSgt Terence Brady, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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