MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- United Blood Services held a blood drive for air station personnel June 1-3 at the station Community Center.
UBS provides all the blood used by service members when needed at the Yuma Regional Medical Center.
"If anyone here is in need of blood, we provide 100 percent of that blood," said Doug Rodstrom, donor recruitment representative, UBS. "Last year YRMC used fifty-six hundred units of blood and we provided thirty-two hundred of those units. We also supply blood to over 80 percent of the hospitals in Arizona."
The goal for the blood drive was to have at least 38 pints of blood donated each day. Because of the participation from the air station, UBS almost met their goal every day. UBS collected 34 pints the first day, 32 pints the second day and 38 pints on the last day. Those who donated received a free t-shirt, snack foods and refreshments.
The donated blood may save peoples' lives, said Rodstrom.
"Each pint has the potential to save three people's lives," said Rodstrom. "We can use the red blood cells, plasma and the platelets from the blood that is drawn."
In anticipation of the blood drive, Rodstrom had a booth at the spring Health and Safety Fair and made appointments for 82 service members.
"Unfortunately, most of the appointments did not show up because they were either gone or forgot about the drive," explained Rodstrom. "Even though all the appointments didn't show up, we had plenty of walk-ins come in to help make up the difference."
Sgt. Paul Bolan, supply accounting, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron-13, donated blood because it is something that he likes to do.
"I hear all the time that there is shortages of blood, so I figured why not help a little," said Bolan, a native Houston. "I also have O-negative blood type and my blood is compatible with everybody else's, so why not?"
Station donors were not the only ones who contributed to the success of the drive.
The help provided by station personnel who volunteered was tremendous, said Rodstrom. They helped with the donor registration and the donor refreshment area.
"They really helped the blood drive go smooth," added Rodstrom.
"I decided to volunteer because I just wanted to help wherever I can," said Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Ridenour, blood drive volunteer. "During the Emergency Medical Technicians course, one thing I noticed was the shortage of blood in the emergency room. Especially when people come in with major traumas, the first thing the hospital does is start looking for blood."
Station personnel interested in donating blood at another time can visit http://www.bloodhero.com. For more information about the United Blood Services visit their Web site at http://www.unitedbloodservices.org.