Blood drive nets precious pints

***image1***The Landstuhl Regional Medical Center blood donor team held a drive March 9 at the 435th Communications Squadron conference room. They set a goal of receiving 50 units of usable blood during the six-hour drive, and met the goal within four hours.

The day’s total rendered 58 units with 67 personnel volunteering to donate. This mass amount of blood has the potential to save 406 lives.

Mike Peacock, blood donor recruiter for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Army, Europe, credits commanders’ encouragement for the high volume of volunteers willing to give blood.

“The best drives are the ones (in which) commanders support participation,” he said. “A little bit goes long way to help people show up, donate and save lives. A turnout like this is truly amazing.”

The blood donor team travels all over Europe and hosts an average of 10 drives each month. On average, each drive nets about 16 usable units, said Mr. Peacock. The 435th CS donated the second highest amount of blood on Ramstein, he said.