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They do it for their own, and the Soldiers of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command who donated blood at the Kleber Fitness Center Feb. 26 are aware the Armed Services Blood Program, Europe collects blood for the military community.
“The blood we draw here comes from the military community and stays in the military community,” said Mike Peacock, a recruiter for the ASBP in Europe.
ASBP is the official U.S. military blood program and the only blood collection service that collects blood solely for the needs of sick and injured
servicemembers.
Blood donors have to be active-duty military, immediate family, retirees or government civilians. Many donors share the same motivation – they want to support a vital need.
“I’m donating because giving is a good thing, and my blood may make a critical difference for some Soldier downrange,” said Spc. Allen Munson, an intelligence analyst with the 21st TSC. “I try to donate whenever there is a (ASBP) blood drive,” said Staff Sgt. Thea SM, the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 21st TSC’s communications section. “I know that my blood is added to our supply for our military community.”
One Soldier was candid enough to voice another motivation.
“I donate usually twice a year to help save Soldiers’ lives. This is a blood drive for Soldiers. Someday, I may need some blood myself,” said Pfc. Brad Ullrich, also with the 21st TSC.
The Kaiserslautern installations are a favorite with the ASBP staff.
“Kleber Kaserne is a very good place to come. Donors come from Kleber, Panzer and Daenner Kaserne, sometimes even from Rhine Ordnance Barracks,” said Diana Christian, a laboratory technician with the Armed Services Blood Bank Center, Europe. “People here are very willing to donate and very friendly while they give. We even have our regulars here.”
“This is our forth blood drive here within the last two and a half years, and with every one our numbers have increased. This is especially notable because there are a lot of regulations that govern the collection process,” Mr. Peacock said. “For instance, anyone who has been in Germany for more than five years can’t donate because of the Mad-Cow Disease outbreaks in the past. That alone excludes many civilians and senior officers and NCOs who normally would donate.”
However, those who may not meet the strict criteria set up by the ASBP can still donate.
“You can go to the German Red Cross and donate and help the community you live and work in if you are not eligible to give to the ASBP,” Mr. Peacock said.
