Keesler team conducts successful blood drive Published June 13, 2012 By 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron 81st Medical Group KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- team from the Keesler Blood Donor Center travelled to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., May 23 to conduct what resulted in a very successful blood drive. The 17-member BDC team was augmented by five Clinical Laboratory staff members. They anticipated collecting 150 units; by the end of the drive on May 24 they tallied 173. According to Capt. Heidi McMinn, chief of the 81st Diagnostic and Therapeutic Squadron's Blood Services, she had been contacted by Capt. Adam Irvin of the 14th Medical Support Squadron at Columbus about coming up there to conduct a drive because their undergraduate pilot training units were standing down for the Memorial Day holiday. The 14th Flying Training Wing leadership saw this as a perfect opportunity to support U.S. forces engaged in military operations overseas. "Many of these pilot trainees feel a personal responsibility to help in any way they can because some day they may be in the need of blood," McMinn said. "We had an overwhelming response at this blood drive. Each squadron had a point of contact that rallied support for the event. Before we arrived, 212 appointments had been scheduled for donations. Approximately 250 potential donors processed through the line led by 14th FTW's senior leadership, including the wing vice commander and four group commanders." McMinn commented, "The overwhelming success of this blood drive can be attributed to the wing leadership's support and the spirit of competition that was brought to the drive. There was a wing-wide competition which spurred a lot of friendly rivalries. For example, one commander encouraged his students to donate by granting a shortened duty day or 'inviting' them to attend a 5 p.m. safety brief with him. The winning squadron commander was presented a traveling trophy which will help with support for future blood drives." She added, "This blood drive definitely benefited from the unprecedented support from the leadership donating, spouses baking cookies for donors and various command personnel assisting with the blood drive. These efforts proved effective and made the event a success." McMinn said, "The impact this drive had on our Armed Services Blood Program blood supply was huge! Keesler was able to help out another base's shortfall by sending double their normal requirement of units overseas. The blood products sent overseas reached their destination in as little as five days from the day they were collected. This time of year it is historically difficult to collect blood, especially over a long holiday. The generosity of the Columbus AFB blood donors was felt by many, as not only were units shipped overseas, but the Keesler Hospital and four stateside Army hospitals received some of these blood products. This blood will go a long way in saving lives." The captain observed, "This drive was a success because Keesler's team is such a dedicated group of professionals. Not only were they lauded by the 14th Medical Group leadership, but they were invited to return twice a year for regular blood drives."