Barksdale Airmen donate blood: help relieve critical demand

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Allison M. Boehm
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Blood supply in the local area is at a critical low, and Barksdale Airmen are stepping up to offset the demand.

"I try to donate at least quarterly because it is important to keep our blood banks full," said Staff Sgt. Travis Tewes, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron. "It gives me a sense of gratification to know I'm helping the cause."

Barksdale, home of Air Force Global Strike Command, regularly hosts LifeShare Blood Center staff on base to administer blood donations. All the blood that is collected by LifeShare Blood Center stays in the local community which provides for 139 medical facilities.

"The base overall does an outstanding job donating blood," said Gwen Herndon, Shreveport LifeShare Blood Center donor recruiter. "My hope is that Airmen will continue to strive to improve their donor base and donate when they are eligible, which is every 56 days for Whole Blood Donors and every 112 days for Red Cell Donors.

"The lives of local patients depend on the donations," she said. "Heart patients, cancer patients, sickle cell patients -- we need to make sure there is enough. Types 'O' and 'B' are in the greatest demand."

Statistics show that 65 percent of the general population is eligible to donate, yet only 5 percent do. With the current supply of available blood, Ms. Herndon hopes even more Airmen will take the time to donate.

"Donating is very important due to the fact there is always the potential the blood we give could save a life," Sergeant Tewes said. "A minor pinch to the arm is a small price to pay to give someone out there a second chance. I only wish I had O Type blood -- Lifeshare is in high need of O-Type donors."

LifeShare Blood Center staff said there are several misconceptions deterring individuals from donating; however individuals may still donate if they are taking high blood-pressure medication, have diabetes, have rheumatoid arthritis, cancer (one year after end of treatment), three weeks after tattoos and body piercings performed in a licensed establishment, or have a sickle cell trait.

"I challenge all military members and dependents that qualify to donate," Sergeant Tewes said. "Nothing is better than giving your blood to an organization that is in the business of saving lives."

To schedule a donation date, call Ms. Herndon at 318-572-9974.