October blood drive new schedule convenient for AEDC personnel

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  For past blood drive events at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), personnel have taken personal time during their work day to donate blood. The Oct. 22-25 blood drive will offer an alternative schedule.

The October bloodmobile is sponsored by Blood Assurance and the blood drive will be conducted in four days instead of five. This drive will offer after work times or before work times for different work shifts. On Oct. 22 the bloodmobile will accept donors between 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Propulsion Wind Tunnel; Oct. 23, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. at the Carroll EAF Building; Oct. 24, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Administration and Engineering Building (A&E); and Oct. 25, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at the Main Auditorium. Employees may donate at any of the four locations during work hours with approval of the supervisor.

"Blood Assurance isn't accepting donors on Monday [Oct. 21], and then offering extended hours after 3 p.m. to encourage more people to donate - those that don't have time during the normal work day or second shift employees," said Leslie Myers, a Comprehensive Occupational Resources registered nurse for Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA).

Another incentive, besides the alternate schedule, will be offered by way of gift cards and a $500 ATA donation.

"We will have four gift cards - one for each of the four days we're on base," said Vickie Shelton, Blood Assurance donor recruiter. "Each donor will register for the gift card and the drawing will be done by Leslie on Friday. She will notify winners and distribute cards. The cards will be from Wal-Mart."

ATA General Manager Steve Pearson announced that ATA will conduct a $500 school donation drawing for ATA personnel who donate blood. The winner will choose a school to receive the $500 donation.

Shelton expressed that there is a more important encouragement to donate blood besides a gift card.

"Encouragement for donors should be that each donation could save up to three lives," Shelton said. "Eighty-five percent of persons who receive blood never thought they would need it. Bottom line is we just never know. All donations thru Blood Assurance stay in county to local hospitals.

"Many donors report that they feel better after donating blood. Sometimes it is a physical reality, but many times it is psychological - knowing they are helping others."

To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and t-shirt. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

Blood Assurance is a non-profit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 50 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council, and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.

Blood Assurance is licensed by the Tennessee Department of Public Health, the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Alabama State Board of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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

Scan the QR code with this story using a smartphone to view the Blood Assurance video Yesterday.