Tyndall gives lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Members from Tyndall Air Force Base gathered at the Community Activities Center to help donate blood to the Armed Services Blood Program Wednesday. 

Technicians from the 81st Medical Operations Squadron's donar center from Keesler AFB, Miss. arrived Tuesday evening to support the operation. Keesler's center is one of three in the Air Force. 

"The blood collected by ASBP comes from the military for the military," said 2nd Lt. Caitlin Harris, 325th Contracting Squadron contracting specialist and blood drive coordinator. 

One pint of blood can save up to four lives, said the lieutenant.
A total of 77 members donated blood at the drive. 

"We had nearly 100 people show up to donate, but we had to defer some of them because they weren't able to donate today," said Lieutenant Harris. 

Some of the reasons for deferment are if the donar: 

· had contact with blood or body fluids through injury, accidental needle stick or contact with an open wound, non-intact skin or mucous membrane
· have been in jail, prison or any other correctional facility for more than 72 consecutive hours
· received blood or had an organ, or tissue transplant
· had donated blood within the past 56 days
· had a tattoo, brand or piercing in the past 12 months

Servicemembers who have been deployed to Iraq within the last year are also deferred due to potential exposure to leishmaniasis, a disease spread by sand flies. 

The next blood drive is scheduled for April 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

"Just think of a loved one who made need this life saving product," said Lisa Lynn, Armed Services Blood Program recruiter.