Photo Information

A Marine gets her blood tested for donation aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 14. The Navy Medical Center of San Diego opens opportunities to service members on surrounding military bases in San Diego, to donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP). (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Harley Robinson/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Harley Robinson

Season of giving: service members donate blood

19 Dec 2016 | Cpl. Harley Robinson Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

Service members and their families show the true spirit of giving by donating blood aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Dec. 14.
The Navy Medical Center of San Diego opens opportunities to service members on surrounding military bases in San Diego, to donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP).

 The ASBP if the official blood program for the military. Donated blood from the ASBP directly treats service members at home and abroad.

 “Our mission is to support and supply blood to the hospital patients and also to send blood overseas,” said Doreen Rekoski, Blood Donor Recruiter for Naval Medical Center, San Diego. “We exist solely to take care of the military.”

 Blood and blood product, such as platelets, are always needed for service members home and deployed. A donor can give blood every 8 weeks, and donate platelets up to 24 times per year. Three lives can be saved with just one blood donation. Blood product supplies are critical for preparedness and battlefield success.

 “I always try to donate whenever I can,” said Maj. Jon Risser, avionics officer and blood donor. “It’s a good cause. Any time I donate blood, I’m confidant it’s going to go to good use.”

 Platelets from blood can not only be used my injured patients, but can be used to help save patients suffering from life-threatening diseases such as cancer, anemia, leukemia and other diseases of the blood.

 “Blood is like a parachute, if it’s not there when you need it, it’s too late,” said Rekosi. “Blood is needed all the time, 24-7, 365 days a year.”
To find out when and where you can donate, visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil.


More Media

Marine Corps Air Station Miramar