D-M Airmen donate blood

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacqueline Hawkins
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  More than 90 Airmen and members from the Desert Lightning community came together to support the American Red Cross in replenishing their depleting blood supply at the Hope Chapel here Feb. 20.

Twelve volunteers from the D-M community came out to volunteer their time to help make the event a success.

"A lot of people need the blood so I thought it was the right thing to do to help someone else out," said Airman Brady Polec, a member of the 355th Equipment Maintenance Squadron and a blood donor.

For a single blood donation, one unit or one pint of blood is taken from each person. During this blood drive the American Red Cross received 92 units of blood.

"The estimate is three lives saved per productive unit. However, surgeries/trauma cases vary and depending on complications more blood could be required, said Master Sgt. Frances Bracks-Miller, 355th Medical Group first sergeant and base blood drive coordinator.

Currently, trauma cases throughout Tucson have created a serious blood supply shortage.

"Blood drives are held every two months (February, April, June, August, October, and December) at the Hope Chapel Annex from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blood donors must wait 60 days between donations," said Sergeant Bracks-Miller.

"For every productive pint donated a life is possibly saved," added Sergeant Bracks-Miller. "Many people have benefited from our D-M donors. There is no better gift than the gift of life. That is why I encourage people to make a donation."

For more information about D-M blood drives, call Sergeant Bracks-Miller at 228-2909.

To view the video clip, click here.