MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- The Armed Services Blood Program and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point’s Combined Federal Campaign accepted blood donations from Marines, sailors and civilians during a blood drive Aug. 5 at the air station.
The ASBP provides a supply of blood for service members, veterans and their families facing life threatening situations. As a joint operation across the military services, the ASBP has collects, processes, stores and distributes blood for transfusions worldwide.
“We collect blood primarily from the military and this blood solely goes to the military population,” said Renellen Rodriguez, the nurse supervisor during the drive at Cherry Point. “It stays in the military community, which in turn is sent to surrounding naval hospitals and abroad where it is needed.”
The ASBP holds blood drives aboard the air station every two months and usually has a turnout of more than 60 service members, according to Rodriguez.
“This was actually one of our more successful blood drives,” said Rodriguez. “It’s great that so many service members are looking out for their own, and it’s just nice to see the sense of brotherhood that is shown when service members donate blood.”
For some service members, donating blood takes on a more personal value. Cpl. Kyle Kurtz, a maintenance administrative specialist with Marine Transport Squadron 1, donates blood every chance he gets after a blood transfusion saved his mother’s life after she was in a car accident.
“I’ve donated blood 13 times,” said Kurtz. “Every time I see the bus, I come out and try to donate because this is more on a personal level for me.”
Kurtz urges service members to donate blood if they can because it can save lives.
“From every one donation, you can save two or three lives,” said Kurtz. “Even if one person comes out and donates, it makes a difference.”
For more information on the Armed Services Blood Program or for information on how to schedule an appointment, visit their website at www.militaryblood.dod.mil.