28th MDG hosts blood drive

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  The need for blood donations today, especially during war time, may force Airmen and civilians to forget their reservations about donating blood. 

In an effort to help meet that need, the 28th MDG hosted blood drive Jan. 24.
The blood donations (which aide in the treatment of various blood diseases including hemophilia, anemia and leukemia) were accepted from 8:30 a.m. to noon by members of United Blood services. 

"It's really hard to find donors that meet requirements on base," said Senior Airman Sabrina Schlageter, 28th Medical Operations Squadron public health specialist and blood drive coordinator for past 2.5 years. 

The requirements for blood donors, both military and non-military, include donors providing a travel history that annotates the countries visited, dates of visits and duration of stay, said Airman Schlageter. 

The frequency of overseas travel by Airmen, particularly European travel, is one of the most common obstacles for those who wish to donate. 

The reason for this restriction, said Airman Schlageter, is an extra precaution against mad cow and other diseases, avoiding all possibility of inadvertently spreading them through blood donations, said Airman Schlageter. 

These restrictions further the 28th MDG's ability to help facilitate the collection of healthy blood donations for those who need it, said Airman Schlageter. 

To further ensure safe blood transfusions, each donor undergoes a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and blood count are measured.
The donor is also required to complete a medical history survey. The survey includes questions about the donor's current and past medications and other medical conditions to determine donor eligibility, said Airman Schlageter. 

Despite the elimination of possible donors during the screening process, 25 of Ellsworth's Airmen and civilians provided donations. This surpassed the 28th MDG's goal of 17 donors, said Airman Schlageter. 

"I've already done this twice before," said Airman 1st Class Courtney Lemos, also 28th MDOS public health specialist and donator. 

While donating, the 28th MDG provided Airmen and civilians movies as entertainment, and treated them with cookies and juice to help minimize the drained feeling many donors experience after donating as much as 2.5 cups of blood. 

"One person's donation can help save three other people," said Airman Schlageter.
The 25 donations provided Jan. 24 should allow for the treatment of 75 other people in need of transfusions. Events such as the 28th MDG's blood drive enable all members of Ellsworth to expand on the Air Force core value of service before self. 

Although some may have had reservations or been otherwise reluctant, 25 people were able to set aside their fears, press on with their daily routines, despite the weakness the donation may have caused, in order to possibly save the lives of people in need of their help. 

For more information on donating blood, visit www.bloodhero.com, or call 342-8585.