The power of military blood Published Jan. 26, 2010 By 1st Lt. George Diaz 509th Medical Support Squadron WHITEMAN AIR FOREC BASE, Mo. -- "If you can't come out and roll up your sleeve for a Soldier, you may not deserve the freedoms that we provide for you." - Army Spc. Austin Phillips, wounded warrior. Army Lt. Col. Dale F. Deehr, Officer in Charge of Fort Leonard Wood, Kan. Blood Donor Center, was leading a blood drive in Jonesboro, Alaska, with the 875th Engineer Battalion of the Alaska National Guard. Some of the Soldiers had just returned from Iraq. One of them was Army Specialist Phillips. While deployed, Specialist Phillips was severely injured when the "bad guys" threw three grenades at his HMMWV. One blew up beside it, the other near the hood, and the third went through the turret, blowing up inside. A fragment caught him on the side of the neck, cutting his jugular vein. Acting quickly, his fellow Soldiers got him out and started buddy aid, until the medics took over. He was immediately evacuated and received a blood transfusion right away. Quick decision-making by his patrol kept him alive, but without the blood, he wouldn't have made it back home. "Because we have blood so far forward and can start giving it right away, 92 percent of the wounded warriors make it home," Colonel Deehr said. Today's combat medics are able to save lives because blood and blood products are readily available in the battlefield. This success in battlefield medicine would not be possible without the selfless donors and dedication of the outstanding personnel at the Armed Services Blood Program. ASBP is a joint operation, comprised of the Air Force, Army and Navy, established in 1952 by Executive Order. The Department of Defense relies on ASBP in the fight to ensure wounded warriors come back home alive. It is critical that ASBP, through its 19 DoD blood-donor centers, conduct regular blood drives at various locations to support the military's joint blood program requirements. With ASBP, donors can rest assure their blood will be used for a forward deployed wounded warrior. ASBP has been around for almost 70 years, but unfortunately only few know that this program exists. Because of the reduced number of donors due to deferrals or ineligibility to donate blood, blood donations are needed now more than ever. Nearly every servicemember has traveled or deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and other areas with identified blood borne diseases, resulting in deferrals. In addition, there are individuals who are not deferred, but will not donate blood because of a fear of needles. However, those who are injured in battle and need blood are surely more afraid of what could happen if they don't receive it, then anyone could be afraid of a needle. If people are deferred, or just totally frightened, they can still help by encouraging others to donate. An Armed Services Blood Center blood drive will be held Feb. 3, 2010, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., at the Community Activity Center. This will be the very first ASBP blood drive at Whiteman AFB. Blood units collected will be flown directly to Fort Hood, Texas for processing. Within four days, the blood will be saving the lives of our servicemembers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany. To donate blood volunteers should: · Weigh at least 110 pounds · Be at least 17 years of age · Have been feeling well for at least three days · Be well hydrated · Have eaten something prior to donating For details on a deferral for a particular condition or issue, please contact Ft. Leonard Wood, Kan., Blood Donor Center at (573) 596-5385/5831 or Lieutenant Diaz at (660) 687-2141. To make an appointment, visit: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/donors/default.aspx. Appointments are not required. Walk-ins are always welcome. For questions about the blood drive, contact Lieutenant Diaz at (660) 687-2141 or 2nd Lt. Chris Zencey at (660) 687-6659. Those interested may also call the ASBP Blood Donor recruiter, Mark Salcedo, at (573) 596-5385. Visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil to learn more about military blood drives.