Keesler Medical Center Ready to Save Lives

  • Published
  • By Lisa Lynn
  • Armed Services Blood Program blood donor recruiter
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Donors like those from Keesler Medical Center, who recently sponsored an Armed Services Blood Program blood drive, are the heart and soul of the military blood program.

When these remarkable people - active-duty service members, family members, Department of Defense employees or civilians - take time out of their busy schedules to donate blood, they save lives.

According to a sampling of participants from the medical center blood drive, the number one reason these donors gave blood was because they wanted to lend a helping hand to those in need. There isn't an easier way to help a person in medical need than to take about an hour, roll up a sleeve and donate blood.

"I started donating in high school, originally as a way to get out of class," Airman 1st Class Nicholas Lui, 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron, said. "But then I realized the importance of donating and that one day I might be on the receiving end. It is a ritual that I continue to this day."

Not only does the ASBP support U.S. combat troops worldwide, it also supplies the military's stateside and overseas hospitals with blood products for daily operations. Recent deployments have had an impact on collections and the number of available military blood donors at some ASBP installations, making it a challenge to recruit a continuous supply of donors.

Because Keesler Air Force Base is a large training installation with a revolving quantity of potential donors, the blood donor center here has a great opportunity to boost blood collections. Donors are essential to ensure the success of the military blood program.
Visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/Donors/default.aspx to find out how to support a nearby ASBP center.

Those unable to donate are also needed. They can sponsor a blood drive, volunteer at the refreshment table or simply spread the word.

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to schedule an appointment, visit The ASBP online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

To interact directly with the Keesler ASBP staff, see more photos or for the latest news about the program, visit: www.facebook.com/militaryblood, www.flickr.com/militaryblood and www.twitter.com/militaryblood.