Blood donation is the perfect gift for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Tommie Baker
  • 611th Civil Engineer Squadron
ELMENDORF AFB, Alaska --  Trying to pick out that ideal holiday gift for a loved one, a special friend or family member? 

Why not give the 'Gift of Life', blood? 

Each year, more than four million Americans across the United States need blood transfusions. In Alaska, fewer than 5 percent of the eligible donors give blood.
What type of blood is needed the most? 

"The rarest type of blood is the blood that isn't there when you need it most," said David Large Jr., Blood Bank of Alaska marketing and public relations manager.
Each day, there is the potential for car accidents, complications during surgery, burn victims, cancer patients, and many other possibilities. 

According to Wendy Perrell, BBA recruitment manager, being a whole blood donor is safe, simple, and very fulfilling. 

"By donating blood, you can help as many as three different patients in need with one donation," she said. "If people lose blood from surgery or injury or if their bodies can't produce enough blood, there is only one place to turn - volunteer blood donors."
Anyone between the ages of 18 and 74 (16 and 17 year olds may donate with signed parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds, and in overall good health may donate blood. 

Donors may give whole blood once every 56 days in order to allow plenty of time to replenish red cell count.
It's easy to donate. 

On Elmendorf, contact your unit blood drive representative or a base blood program officer, 2nd Lt. Noelle Bomberger, 552-4546, noelle.bomberger@elmendorf.af.mil or 1st Lt. Kathryn Jones, 552-0299, kathryn.jones@elmendorf.af.mil. 

The next scheduled blood drives on Elmendorf are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday at the Log Cabin, 20th St. and Rickenbacker Ave. and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday at the Joint Military Mall, Base Exchange. 

For just about any question one might have about donating blood, call the Blood Bank of Alaska, 222-5630, or visit www.bloodbankofalaska.org to find the nearest mobile blood drive at your location. Also, visit one of BBA's conveniently located blood centers. The main Anchorage Center is located at 4000 Laurel Street, near Lake Otis and Tudor; or at the Anchorage Dimond Center Mall, located across the hall from Dimond Theater.