Fort Bliss Monitor

Marines line up to give blood

Virginia Reza
Monitor Staff

VIRGINIA REZA

Army Spc. Angela Gehers from the WBAMC Blood Donor Center prepares Marine Staff Sgt. Kevin Oneal’s arm for blood donating purposes.

Friday, more than 80 Marines lined up in full force from the highest-ranking officer to the lowest-ranking Marine to donate blood in an effort to help maintain the quota needed to support the Armed Services Blood Program.
At the beginning of the year, the Marines set a goal to contribute 400 pints a year; however, they exceeded their goal two months ago. Lt. Col. Christen Nielsen, commander for the Marine Corps Detachment, wanted to continue the blood drive in hopes of encouraging other units here to do the same.

“If there were more like him at Fort Bliss we would not have to travel the southwest region to get blood. He is an awesome leader [and] he does not ask his Soldiers to do anything he doesn’t do,” said Ana Avila, tech. supervisor, Blood Donor Center.

“It’s unfortunate that there is such a shortage of blood here because that means that other organizations are not living up to their responsibilities. If everyone would do their part, we would have a huge surplus. It’s truly a responsibility as Armed Forces members to take care of our own,” said Nielsen.

As of December 2004, William Beaumont Army Medical Center spent $1.1 million to purchase additional blood pints needed for the terminally ill patients, traumas and Soldiers’ family members. The WBAMC Blood Donor Center supports the Armed Services Blood Program, which is a tri-service organization with Army, Navy and Air Force.

“We have to pay for any extra blood that we need for our armed forces members, their families and our hospital,” said Avila.

Nielsen said he was very proud of the Marines because it’s not required for them to participate. It’s on a voluntarily basis and yet they were all there “because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Smith, Marines Corps Detachment, said he was there to help out all the wounded Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who are in Iraq.

“I would feel bad if I was there, wounded and there wasn’t enough blood ... so this is just a small contribution on my part,” said Smith.

For information on how to donate blood, call 568-3365.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 26, 2005

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Marines line up to give blood Virginia Reza Monitor Staff VIRGINIA REZA Army Spc. Angela Gehers from the WBAMC Blood Donor Center prepares Marine Staff Sgt. Kevin Oneal’s arm for blood donating purposes. Friday, more than 80 Marines lined up in full force from the highest-ranking officer to the lowest-ranking Marine to donate blood in an effort to help maintain the quota needed to support the Armed Services Blood Program. At the beginning of the year, the Marines set a goal to contribute 400 pints a year; however, they exceeded their goal two months ago. Lt. Col. Christen Nielsen, commander for the Marine Corps Detachment, wanted to continue the blood drive in hopes of encouraging other units here to do the same. “If there were more like him at Fort Bliss we would not have to travel the southwest region to get blood. He is an awesome leader [and] he does not ask his Soldiers to do anything he doesn’t do,” said Ana Avila, tech. supervisor, Blood Donor Center. “It’s unfortunate that there is such a shortage of blood here because that means that other organizations are not living up to their responsibilities. If everyone would do their part, we would have a huge surplus. It’s truly a responsibility as Armed Forces members to take care of our own,” said Nielsen. As of December 2004, William Beaumont Army Medical Center spent $1.1 million to purchase additional blood pints needed for the terminally ill patients, traumas and Soldiers’ family members. The WBAMC Blood Donor Center supports the Armed Services Blood Program, which is a tri-service organization with Army, Navy and Air Force. “We have to pay for any extra blood that we need for our armed forces members, their families and our hospital,” said Avila. Nielsen said he was very proud of the Marines because it’s not required for them to participate. It’s on a voluntarily basis and yet they were all there “because it’s the right thing to do,” he said. Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey Smith, Marines Corps Detachment, said he was there to help out all the wounded Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who are in Iraq. “I would feel bad if I was there, wounded and there wasn’t enough blood ... so this is just a small contribution on my part,” said Smith. For information on how to donate blood, call 568-3365.