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Barksdale set to host annual blood drive

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt.Terri Barriere
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The annual Mash Bash Blood Drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 19 at Hoban Hall.

According to Gwendolyn Herndon, a Lifeshare Blood Center donor recruiter, the Mash Bash is the largest blood drive in the Ark-La-Tex, and has become a summer tradition in the area.

"Our donors look forward to this annual area-wide blood drive to help ensure we have sufficient blood supplies for our local patients," she said.

With the Lifeshare organization currently down to a half-day supply of blood, the upcoming drive comes just in the nick of time.

"This annual event makes sure the patients who could be our loved ones, friends and neighbors have blood when they need it," said Ms. Herndon.

Though there are more than a dozen blood drives held on base throughout the year, the need for blood never stops.

"I encourage every Airman on Barksdale to donate," said John Daggett, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics manager. "Donations saved my life. I was on the operating table for 11 hours and required 20 units of blood--if those 20 individuals hadn't of came forward to donate, I would have died on that table."

There are patients like Mr. Daggett in area hospitals and trauma centers who need blood every day.

Ms. Herndon said in the Ark-La-Tex there is a need for at least 150 blood donors each day to help local patients.

"It takes a lot of personal sacrifice to donate on a regular basis," said Mr. Daggett. "Airman can donate every eight weeks, and this Mash Bash is a great way to start."

Ms. Herndon said she believes a combination of things have made the Mash Bash, now in its 27th year, a local tradition.

"Not only does this drive have longevity, but it is a fun summertime event and gives people a chance to support our community blood center so that our local patients will have the blood they need when and where they need it. People who grew up watching their parents donate at the Mash Bash are now donors themselves," she said.

Despite the fact that the summertime has taken a lot of heat for being an unsafe time to donate blood, Ms. Herndon said that when the proper precautions are taken, the summer months are just as safe as any other and a great time for the Mash Bash due to the seasonal drop in donors.

"In the summertime, the number of blood donors drop off for several reasons. Number one, schools are out so we don't have our student blood drives, and number two, people are on vacation so they aren't donating," she said.

She advises would-be donors not to fear the heat, but get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat a good meal prior to donating, as their donations are even more critical during this time of the year.

"We often hear people say 'what can I do to make a difference, I'm one person,'" but when you are the person who gives the unit of blood that saves a life, you have a made a tremendous difference to the person whose life you've saved," she said. "You may never know that person whose life you've saved, but he or she will always remember you and will forever be grateful to you for your gift of life."