Grand Forks AFB Medics set to save lives with blood drive

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Luis Loza Gutierrez
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  The 319th Medical Group is partnering with DAK MINN Blood Bank to help local hospital patients with a blood drive.

The drive is scheduled to take place Wednesday inside Sven's Den at the Prairie Rose Chapel here from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Prairie Rose Chapel is located across the Base Education Center to north east side of the base commissary.

"If someone is interested in making an appointment to donate blood, they can contact me directly and I can help them get on the calendar," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, 319th Medical Group blood drive coordinator.

Sullivan can be reached at 701-747-5525.

"There's no problem if a person is unable to make an appointment because walk-ins are always welcomed, so they can show up whenever they have some free time," said Sullivan.

According to the American Association of Blood Banks, 32,000 units of blood are used in the United States each day.

A single whole blood donation typically provides enough components (red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) to save three lives.

Sullivan said it usually takes about an hour for a donation to be completed from the moment a person walks in the door till the moment they walkout knowing they did they did something positive for patients in need.

Sullivan's attempts to encourage others to donate blood has not fallen on deaf ears as senior leaders on base have begun to spread the news of the upcoming blood drive.
"It's a very important cause," said Maj. Frank Burks, commander of the 319th Comptroller Squadron in a message to unit members. "Simply put, the easiest way to save a life is to give blood. You never know if it could be one of our teammates or even a family member in need of it."

The medical group is showing its support for the selfless event from within its ranks.
"We have a friendly competition going on between the 319th Medical Support Squadron and the 319th Medical Operation Squadron," said Sullivan.

Sullivan kept secret the exact number of people who have scheduled appointments to donate; however, as of this morning, the competition is a close one as the 319th MDOS has taken a two donor lead over 319th MDSS.

"Our friendly competition is just for bragging rights because the real prize is knowing that we as base did something to help local patients in need."

Individuals with questions or needing help determining their eligibility to donate may contact Sullivan at the number provided earlier in the story.

As an additional reminder, individuals planning to donate blood are highly encouraged to drink plenty of water and eat a hearty meal a few hours prior to the donation, preferably one rich in the nutritional mineral of iron.