Donate Life

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Tori Lalich
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Members of Team Barksdale lined up inside of Hoban Hall here Dec. 28 to donate half an hour of their time and a pint of their blood to save lives in the local area.

A LifeShare blood center donation team, based out of Shreveport, Louisiana, was on base for six hours to screen and collect from potential donors.

"We normally collect around 45 units of blood during larger drives on base," said Denise Byley, LifeShare donor technician. "We are often on base two or three times a week for smaller drives. Larger drives are hosted every three or four months, to allow frequent contributors the proper time to recover between donations."

According to Byley, people who donate whole blood, which includes red cells and plasma, are able to donate one unit every 56 days. Those who donate only red cells, which results in two units of blood, can give again after 112 days.

"The process which removes red cells from the blood is called automation," said Byley. "We use a machine called 'Alyx' to remove the cells and return a mixture of plasma and saline back to the donor."

Before being allowed to give blood, potential donors are carefully screened to ensure they are healthy enough to give and their blood is safe to use for transfusions. The health screening includes a blood pressure check, a questionnaire regarding recent travels, new tattoos or piercings, checking iron in the patient's blood and general health questions. After initial approval, the patient is moved to a comfortable chair and the process to donate begins.

"We like sticking people with needles," laughed Ashley Packett, LifeShare donor technician. "I've been with LifeShare for around two years. It's a very rewarding job knowing that what you do could help save someone's life."

Packett joined the blood donation center at the same time as donor technician Kim Peoples.

"I especially enjoy coming on base for donation events," said Peoples. "People on base always share stories about where they've been overseas and their jobs on base. It's a unique experience."

Among the Airmen who frequently donate is Tech. Sgt. Gregory Fuller, 2nd Communication Squadron quality assurance evaluator.

"I donate as often as I can," said Fuller, I have O negative blood, which is one of the types a variety of people can receive. My mother and several friends have received donations before, so I recognize the value of giving."

For more information on upcoming drives or how to donate, visit www.lifeshare.org or find a local LifeShare donation center on Facebook.