Sheppard Airmen show every drop counts

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEAPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Inclement weather played a factor in the overall goal of donations not being met, but Sheppard Airmen showed every drop of blood counts.

Sheppard hosted a blood drive Feb. 11-13 at the Airmen's Club for the Texas Blood Institute blood bank. The institute holds three base wide blood drives a year since there is a constant need for blood. The drive was able to accumulate 381 units of the 550 unit goal.

"We were hoping for 135 units on the first day, but we only collected 38, the weather can have an effect on that," said Jennifer G. Risinger, the blood program consultant for the Texas Blood Institute.

"The weather on the first day set us back a bit, but Wednesday and Thursday had an outstanding turn out," said Tech. Sgt. Roberto Hernandez, a 362nd Training Squadron crash, damaged, disabled, aircraft recovery instructor.

Since the majority of the donations were made by Airman in training, there was an extra incentive on the line for the squadron with the most pints donated. The 362nd TRS would drain their veins the most, winning the challenge and taking the trophy back to their squadron.

"I like to feel like I've made a difference," said Airman 1st Class Megan Huseby, a 365th TRS avionics student.

Airmen filled the waiting room on Thursday eager for their opportunity to donate. Some Airmen even arrived early and were waiting for the doors to open so they could give blood.

"We're in the military, it's our job to help out," said Airman 1st Class Nicholas R. Crissie, a 365th TRS avionics student.

The reasons for donating varied, but the principal for donating remained the same - to save lives. Many volunteers gave up their time to help contribute toward the effort. From escorting donors, to providing drinks and snacks to assist the donors in recovery, every volunteer played a major role.

"I'm happy that people are volunteering for the right reasons, the passion of helping others," Hernandez said. "One pint of blood can save 3 lives," Hernandez said. "I can't think of anything better than that."

"We supply all the blood to North Texas hospitals. One out of every five pints of blood we collect goes to a military blood bank," Risinger said. "Blood is a drug, there is no substitute, it can't be made in a lab and the only way to get blood is from donation."

After the final pint of blood was drawn, 381 units of blood were donated during the drive. The 381 units collected will be used to save the lives of up to 1,143 patients.

"In the end, whether it's one pint, 10 or 100, it's still saving a life and that is what matters," Hernandez said.