Red Cross 'Give Something That Means Something' bloodmobile at AEDC

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Residents and commuters in the local area may never know when they or a family member may need blood assistance for critical injuries or illnesses.

For that reason, Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) will host the next American Red Cross Bloodmobile on Oct. 22-26, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Organizations like the American Red Cross provide a convenient method for blood donations by utilizing a mobile blood collection lab.

The bloodmobile will move to a different location each day while stationed at AEDC.

The dates and corresponding locations are: Oct. 22 - the Engine Test Facility office building 877; Oct. 23 - the Propulsion Wind Tunnel office building 740; Oct. 24 - the Administration and Engineering building 100; Oct. 25 - the Carroll building 1103; and Oct. 26 - the Main Cafeteria building 452.

The American Red Cross' promotion from Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 is "Give Something that Means Something." During this promotion, donors will be automatically entered to win a $1,000 gift card.

Approximately 40,000 units of blood are used each day in the United States.

"Blood donation saves countless lives each year," said Leslie Myers, a Comprehensive Occupational Resources (CORE) registered nurse (RN) for Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA). "In this area alone, 400 units are needed each day to provide enough blood."

Blood donations are used for patients in the local area hospitals throughout the Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region.

"Blood products cannot be manufactured," said Lana Butaud, American Red Cross donor recruitment representative. "The American Red Cross relies on the generosity of volunteer donors throughout the community, yet studies show only three in 100 people give blood.

"Blood drives are absolutely essential to ensure there is enough blood on the shelves to help people in need."

AEDC employees donated 81 units of blood during the last bloodmobile drive in August.

"Because each pint has the potential to help save up to three lives, around 243 patients may have benefited from your outstanding contributions," Butaud said.

The blood collected may be used for leukemia and other cancer patients, trauma patients, premature babies, organ transplants, heart surgeries and joint replacement surgeries.

Butaud said that the goal of the bloodmobile at AEDC is to collect 20 productive units of blood each day.

"The donations made here at Arnold Air Force Base make a difference in the lives of the community around us," Myers said.

"Some of the blood donated during these drives may even be needed for you, your family or a co-worker. Every donation makes a difference in the life of someone close by."

To donate blood at other locations see www.redcrossblood.org/make-donation.

For more AEDC blood donation guidelines and information, contact Myers at 454-5387.