Nimitz Crew Gives Record-Setting Blood Donation

Navy NewsStand ^ | 3/9/2004 | Journalist 2nd Class Ahron Arendes, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

[BykrBayb]

Story Number: NNS040308-15 Release Date: 3/9/2004 12:38:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Ahron Arendes, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68) broke the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) single-day blood donation record Feb. 20 at a blood drive to support service members deployed to the Middle East, military hospitals and clinics, and retirees, and their family members.

According to Doreen Rekoski, ASBP blood donor recruiter, in one day, Nimitz Sailors donated 162 pints of blood, breaking the previous record of 133. The record for a two-day blood drive is 204 pints.

"The one-day drive at USS Nimitz broke our own Blood Donor Center record for most units collected in a single day during the two and a half years I have been coordinating blood drives," said Rekoski. "It was a phenomenal drive. People just kept lining up to donate. We even had to turn some people away toward the end of the drive, because we just couldn't accommodate all of them. It was a great drive, thanks to the wonderful crew of the Nimitz."

Rekoski added that 57 percent of the military population is medically eligible to donate, but less than 6 percent actually donate.

“We do four to five blood drives per week throughout San Diego,” she said. “Last year, we supplied over 10,000 pints of blood. Thirty-eight percent went to the troops, 46 percent went to hospitals and 27 percent went to military treatment facilities.”

With all the blood being used at hospitals and clinics throughout the world, it could become costly for the military.

“Every unit of blood that is purchased costs $250 per person,” said Cherry, “so every person who shows up and donates saves the Navy $250. That’s a lot of money, and it all goes to good causes.”

Some of the Sailors who gave blood know it is important, and donate regularly to help people who need it.

“I’ve gotten over my fear of needles,” Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Stanley Cole joked. “Giving blood is something simple I can do to help the troops. I even donate to civilian programs when the Navy’s isn’t around. It benefits the general good to give blood.”

Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class (SW) Tommy Ransom said, “I like to take part in blood drives, because I like to be in a position where I’m helping people. It makes me feel good inside to know my blood is going to be used to save lives.”

“It goes to show that a lot of Sailors understand the importance of what we’re doing here,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW/FMF) William Cherry, Nimitz blood drive coordinator, “and they’re going above and beyond what’s normally expected of them.”

Nimitz is scheduled to hold its next blood drive March 26.

For related news, visit the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn68.

040220-N-8273J-068 Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2004) – Operations Specialist Seaman Marlon McClain, of Los Angeles, Calif., donates blood during a USS Nimitz (CVN 68) command-wide blood drive on the pier next to the carrier. The U.S. Navy’s Mobile Blood Bank assigned to the Naval Medical Center San Diego, Calif., collected over 150 pints of blood, which will be used to help local hospitals and troops overseas. Nimitz is currently undergoing Planned Increment Availability (PIA). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Tiffini M. Jones. (RELEASED)

040220-N-8273J-026 Naval Air Station North Island, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2004) – Crewmembers of the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), participate in a command-wide blood drive on the pier next to the carrier. The U.S. Navy’s Mobile Blood Bank assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego, Calif., collected over 150 pints of blood, which will be used to help local hospitals and troops overseas. Nimitz is currently undergoing a Planned Increment Availability (PIA). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Tiffini M. Jones. (RELEASED)

[StarCMC]

HOO-AH!! Great find!! Thanks for posting!!!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) broke the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) single-day blood donation record Feb. 20 at a blood drive to support service members deployed to the Middle East, military hospitals and clinics, and retirees, and their family members.

...in one day, Nimitz Sailors donated 162 pints of blood, breaking the previous record of 133. The record for a two-day blood drive is 204 pints.

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This is so important. Our blood supplies are down in communities across the country. The troops need a steady supply of their own.

Thank you, Nimitz Sailors!

 

USS Nimitz
(CVN 68)
"Teamwork - A Tradition"

 

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BTTT!

For the troops!

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Bump!

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