Give blood; send a lifeline

Maj. Jean Ruddell
88th Medical Group clinical laboratory

Take the time to donate blood when your base hosts a blood drive and send a lifeline to the troops.

What do front line Airmen or Soldiers experience when fighting for
life? Only they know for certain, but a lifeline begins for them with
their buddies in the field and continues with the help of medics,
transport crew members, surgeons and countless others.

Throughout the struggle, blood is simply necessary. That wounded
military member counts on you to donate blood, every time you can.

During the first quarter of 2005, troops received approximately 1,215
blood transfusions while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom.

The Armed Services Blood Program ensures that blood is available for
all members of the military. At Air Force, Army and Navy installations,
blood donor centers collect and deliver blood wherever needed around
the globe.

If you are an eligible blood donor, roll up your sleeve and send a
lifeline to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines on the front line.
For more information on the Armed Services Blood Program, visit
www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

There will be two upcoming blood drives in the Ramstein Community
Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 22 and 28 sponsored by Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc. and Ramstein Girl Scouts, respectively.

Servicemembers, civilians and dependents in the KMC who wish to donate
can contact the U.S. Army Europe Blood Donor Center on Landstuhl at
486-7107. They can provide accurate information about deferrals for
blood donation.

Units that wish to sponsor a blood drive should contact the donor recruiter at 486-6497.