Paid in Full, Continuing to Give

06/20/2012
By Azeb Gordon, ASBP Blood Donor Recruiter, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Lee Rockwell shows off his “Paid in Full” tattoo. After receiving 24 units of blood, Rockwell was determined to donate each and every one back to the Armed Services Blood Program.

During the grand opening of the Fort Belvoir Blood Donor Center last fall, Lee Rockwell donated his 21st pint of blood to the Armed Services Blood Program. Rockwell, who has what he describes as a “pay-it-forward” tattoo of a blood bag with a needle pointing to his forearm, was medically retired from the Army after suffering an accident while enlisted at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. During his recovery, he received 24 pints of blood during several surgeries and he planned on giving each and every one of them back. Recently, Rockwell completed his 24th donation—and his tattoo by adding “paid in full.”

However, despite being “paid in full,” Rockwell plans on continuing his donations. He recently returned to Fort Belvoir Blood Donor Center and donated his 25th pint.

After learning that the donor center was looking to increase platelet donors, he immediately made plans to convert to platelet donations as soon as he is eligible. Who knows, maybe he will add another tattoo, this time for platelets!

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to schedule an appointment, please visit us online: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff, see more photos or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood, www.flickr.com/militaryblood and www.twitter.com/militaryblood.