Posted on 01/25/2005 4:58:27 PM PST by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA - The Armed Services Blood Program - the service that provides blood for all military branches - is kicking off its 2005 blood drive today on Fort Huachuca.
"We need to support our military when the armed services blood program is on the fort," said William Molyneaux, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who is on a campaign to ensure there is adequate blood supply for all service members. "There was a time when the military could meet its own needs with its own people, but that's changed through the years."
Because of overseas assignments, military personnel face tough restrictions when it comes to giving blood, based on where and when those assignments have taken them, Molyneaux added.
Blood collected by the American Red Cross or other civilian agencies does not go to personnel in the Armed Forces unless there isn't enough supply to meet the military's needs, Molyneaux said. When the military is forced to turn to other agencies to augment its supply, a handling fee is attached.
"Both of those organizations, the Red Cross and the Armed Services Blood Program have a vital mission, and both provide a very important service," Molyneaux said. "However, many people don't realize that by donating directly to the Armed Services, that handling cost is eliminated."
Every month, there is a blood drive - specifically designated for soldiers of all military branches - at Eifler Gymnasium, building 82401, on Bissel Street which is located behind the gas station on Fort Huachuca.
The first of Fort Huachuca's blood drives for 2005 is scheduled today and Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Blood donations are on a walk-in basis, no appointment is necessary.Some of the most common reasons for blood donor ineligibility based of directives from the Food and Drug Administration include:
€ Those who have traveled to or resided in the United Kingdom for three months or more from 1980 to 1996 are indefinitely deferred.
€ Those who have received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom from 1980 to present are indefinitely deferred.
€ Those who were stationed in, traveled to, or resided in Europe for six months or more from 1980 to 1996 are indefinitely deferred.
€ Those stationed in, traveled to, or resided in Europe for five years or more from 1997 to present are indefinitely deferred.
€ Those who have visited a malaria endemic area, with or without taking chemo prophylactics within the past 12 months are deferred for 12 months from the date of return to the U.S.
€ Those who have received a tattoo or piercing within the past year, other than ear piercing done in a sterile manner, are deferred for one year from the date of the procedure.
€ Those in North Seoul for a period of less than six months are deferred for two years from the date of return to the U.S. Those in North Seoul for a period of six months or more are deferred for three years from the date of return.
€ All blood donors are deferred 56 days from the date of their donation.
€ Anyone who has received a vaccination for oral typhoid, mumps, oral polio, or yellow fever are deferred for two weeks from the date of vaccination.
€ Anyone who has received a vaccination for chicken pox, measles, mumps or rubella is deferred for four weeks from the date of vaccination.
€ Anyone with a high fever within the past 48 to 72 hours are deferred 7 days from recovery.
€ Anyone who has received a smallpox vaccination is deferred 21 days from the date of the vaccination.
€ Anyone returning from Iraq is deferred for one year from the date of return to the U.S.
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