Fort Bliss Monitor

Charlie 3-6 conducts bone marrow drive
1st Sgt challenges other units on post

Tulara M. Hare
Special to The Monitor

In a small unused classroom in Abernathy Park, Charlie Battery turned out in force to register as bone marrow donors on July 29. After years of being unable to donate blood, due to past deployments and being stationed in Europe, many Soldiers were pleased to learn that they were still eligible to participate. “It’s a good cause,” said C Btry. Commander Capt. Carlos Rockshead, who was motivated by a local girl’s battle with leukemia and the search for a matching donor.

Ann Eckert, volunteer representative for the National Marrow Donor Program, stressed the importance of increasing the numbers of minorities registered in the program. “Bone marrow donations must stay within the same ethnic group in order to match. With 75 percent of the registry comprised of caucasians the chances of finding a matching donor for other ethnic groups is extremely small.” Even with a bone marrow donation, recipients have only a 40 percent chance of survival.

First Sgt. Mack Hare reported that 97 percent of available personnel turned out to support the drive. “I challenge all other units on post to organize a bone marrow drive to meet or beat our percentage of involvement.” In addition to registering Soldiers in C Btry., another 10 Soldiers, spouses and civilian employees turned out to support the drive. To schedule a drive or to register at the Blood Donor Center, Bldg. 7176, call Ann Eckert at 568-3365.

According to Eckert, leukemia prevents the bone marrow from creating healthy blood cells. Most patients do not notice symptoms or even realize they are at risk until detected by a routine physical or the person becomes seriously ill.

A couple of years ago, while preparing for a PCS to South Korea, Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Hughes, currently assigned to C Btry., 3rd Bn., 6th ADA, dropped by the Troop Clinic to see if he could schedule his five-year physical before his departure. The Army requires 30 days for a physical, but the clerk decided that Hughes could start his blood work and then try to complete the other tests in the time allotted.

As Hughes related the story, Eckert sat up straighter, her eyes widening with surprise. “I think I did the tests on your blood work. Did they call to tell you to go to the emergency room right away?” When Hughes confirmed that he was tracked down and ordered to go directly to the hospital.

The white blood cell count in Hughes sample was so high that she thought there was a problem with her machine. She ran the test two more times to confirm her findings and immediately called the oncologist.
“He was at imminent risk for a heart attack or stroke.” Asked if he had any sense of illness, Hughes replied, “Not at all. I had just completed a 20 kilometer ruck march with my unit the week before.”

Hughes jokingly asked if a matching donor had been found for him. He is currently in remission with the help of experimental drugs. He has a brother who matches him should he need bone marrow in the future.

You can support an upcoming bone marrow drive at William Beaumont Army Medical Center today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call the Blood Donor Center at 568-3365.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	August 11, 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>	Charlie 3-6 conducts bone marrow drive 1st Sgt challenges other units on post Tulara M. Hare Special to The Monitor In a small unused classroom in Abernathy Park, Charlie Battery turned out in force to register as bone marrow donors on July 29. After years of being unable to donate blood, due to past deployments and being stationed in Europe, many Soldiers were pleased to learn that they were still eligible to participate. “It’s a good cause,” said C Btry. Commander Capt. Carlos Rockshead, who was motivated by a local girl’s battle with leukemia and the search for a matching donor. Ann Eckert, volunteer representative for the National Marrow Donor Program, stressed the importance of increasing the numbers of minorities registered in the program. “Bone marrow donations must stay within the same ethnic group in order to match. With 75 percent of the registry comprised of caucasians the chances of finding a matching donor for other ethnic groups is extremely small.” Even with a bone marrow donation, recipients have only a 40 percent chance of survival. First Sgt. Mack Hare reported that 97 percent of available personnel turned out to support the drive. “I challenge all other units on post to organize a bone marrow drive to meet or beat our percentage of involvement.” In addition to registering Soldiers in C Btry., another 10 Soldiers, spouses and civilian employees turned out to support the drive. To schedule a drive or to register at the Blood Donor Center, Bldg. 7176, call Ann Eckert at 568-3365. According to Eckert, leukemia prevents the bone marrow from creating healthy blood cells. Most patients do not notice symptoms or even realize they are at risk until detected by a routine physical or the person becomes seriously ill. A couple of years ago, while preparing for a PCS to South Korea, Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Hughes, currently assigned to C Btry., 3rd Bn., 6th ADA, dropped by the Troop Clinic to see if he could schedule his five-year physical before his departure. The Army requires 30 days for a physical, but the clerk decided that Hughes could start his blood work and then try to complete the other tests in the time allotted. As Hughes related the story, Eckert sat up straighter, her eyes widening with surprise. “I think I did the tests on your blood work. Did they call to tell you to go to the emergency room right away?” When Hughes confirmed that he was tracked down and ordered to go directly to the hospital. The white blood cell count in Hughes sample was so high that she thought there was a problem with her machine. She ran the test two more times to confirm her findings and immediately called the oncologist. “He was at imminent risk for a heart attack or stroke.” Asked if he had any sense of illness, Hughes replied, “Not at all. I had just completed a 20 kilometer ruck march with my unit the week before.” Hughes jokingly asked if a matching donor had been found for him. He is currently in remission with the help of experimental drugs. He has a brother who matches him should he need bone marrow in the future. You can support an upcoming bone marrow drive at William Beaumont Army Medical Center today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or call the Blood Donor Center at 568-3365.