New Site, New Arms for Donating

05/21/2012
By Azeb Gordon, ASBP Blood Donor Recruiter, Fort Belvoir, Va.

Hospitalmen Justin Gray (left) and Alexander Wilson (right) process leucko-reduced blood collected at the U.S. Army Legal Services on Fort Belvoir, Va.

When Maj. Tyson McDonald with the U.S. Army Legal Services was approached by the Armed Services Blood Program mascot and a staff member at the Army and Air Force Exchange Services, it didn’t take long for him to realize that a blood drive needed to happen. After a short conversation, McDonald called the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Blood Donor Center eager to set a date at his agency’s new location.

McDonald’s hand-on approach, strategic postings of flyers and posters, and his great attitude was an instant success. His efforts not only got donors to roll up their sleeves, but it got them to sign up for the blood drive early. On the day of the drive, McDonald got even more donors into the donor chairs by going office-to-office to remind people about the drive.

One of the donors reeled in by McDonald’s tactics was Maj. Mary Meek. According to Meek, she appreciated the smooth and well-planned process and was glad to be taking part in the event.

“I decided to donate because I know that even one pint of blood can quite literally save a life,” said Meek. “Although I may not have the opportunity or ability to impact others on a large-scale, blood donation is one tangible way to make a potentially life-saving difference for its recipient. It costs me nothing, but yet its benefits are incalculable.”

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.