Team Buckley hosted blood drive

Published Nov. 15, 2011
By Airman Nigel R. Sims
460th Space Wing Public Affairs

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- - Members of Team Buckley's 460th Medical Group, along with members from the Bonfils Blood Bank, a local Denver blood center, came together to host a blood drive at Newtchs' Den Nov. 15.

"The purpose of this event was to raise awareness about the need for blood donors," said Senior Airman Denni Bowser, 460th Medical Group medical technician, and to educate service members on the importance of donating.

Bonfils began hosting blood drives on Buckley in 2004 where an average of four drives was held per year. In 2010 due to an increase in deployments the blood drives stopped. "This has been a restart in our relationship with Buckley Air Force Base," said Tiffany Anderson, Bonfils marketing and communications director.

Service members from all around Buckley attended the drive.

"The event was a success," said Bowser. "We met our goal amount, which was 39 units of blood."

The process of donating blood usually takes about one hour of time from the donor. The process starts with a simple questionnaire, ensuring the safety of the blood supply. Next, a mini health screening is performed checking the donor's temperature, blood pressure, pulse and red blood cell count ensuring the donor is in proper physical health for the donation. The donor is then asked to recline on the donation bed where the actual donation only takes around ten minutes of their time. After the donation Bonfils separates the donated whole blood into different components, which are used to save up to three people's lives.

"Donating blood is not a difficult process at all," said Bowser. "The hardest part is finding eligible donors. There are many factors that can prevent someone from donating, such as, having a cold, being overseas in certain countries, their weight, or even their iron levels in their blood can disqualify them."

"It is important to let people know that as we approach the winter months donations can decline," said Anderson, "so it is very important for these drives which are done in the winter to keep the blood supply steady."

Bonfils Blood Center is already trying to plan another blood drive at Buckley for sometime next year, said Anderson.

For more information, contact the 460th Medical Group: 720-847-6719