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Helping save lives was the goal for the Soldiers of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s 5th Quartermaster Detachment during a blood drive
Jan. 21 on Rhine Ordnance Barracks.
Sgt. Rinku Patel, a parachute rigger with the 5th QM Det., organized the blood drive — this time, for personal reasons.
Sergeant Patel was involved in a serious automobile accident while stationed in Germany. Because of his injuries, he was in dire need of blood, and the hospital where he was being treated was having trouble finding his blood type. At the same time, another Soldier was being treated for serious injuries sustained from supporting military operations in Southwest Asia. Sergeant Patel said the other Soldier died at the hospital, in part because his blood type was unavailable.
Though Sergeant Patel is now healed, this experience affected him enough to where he realized how important it is for everyone to donate blood if they can. He said he decided he would do everything in his power to prevent anything like this from happening again.
“I reached out to my chain of command and said, ‘Hey, I would like to do this’ and they backed me up 100 percent,’” said Sergeant Patel about organizing the blood drive.
Capt. Robin Eskelson, the 5th QM Det. commander, said he thinks a blood drive is very important.
“With one donation you can save three lives,” he said. “Most Soldiers are willing to help but don’t meet the criteria that is set up by the Department of the Army’s blood regulations,” Sergeant Patel said, “but they are here to support in any way possible.”
These regulations affect Soldiers who have traveled to Iraq, Eastern Turkey, Afghanistan or the western provinces of Saudi Arabia. Soldiers who have been to these places are not able to donate blood, according a memorandum from the Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Europe.
Additionally, personnel who have served six months or more at a military installation in Europe from 1980 to 1996, as well as those who have lived in Europe for more than five years since January 1980, cannot donate blood.
The Armed Services Blood Program only collects blood from service members, family members, retirees and Department of Defense civilians.
With limited donors in U.S. Army Europe, giving blood is an important and selfless act that can save the lives of Soldiers, family members and civilians within the military community.
“I’m going to continue this while I’m here, and I will take this everywhere I go while I serve my country,” Sergeant Patel said.
The next 5th QM Det. blood drive is scheduled for the first week of April. For additional information, visit www.militarydonor.com.
