What would you give to be able to say, “I saved a life today?”

Sailors, Marines and civilians at Fleet Readiness Center Northwest are not belonephobic (fear of needles) as they gave more than 100 units of blood Aug. 16. By the time you read this, the blood is already in Iraq or Afghanistan, helping to save someone’s life.

Each unit of blood can potentially save three lives.  It was simple, easy and virtually painless for the more than 100 people who submitted to the needle, but it may save 300 lives.

When asked why he was donating blood, Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Robert Letendre said, “Somewhere there is a guy who needs my blood.  My blood can serve my nation in Iraq or Afghanistan, even if I can’t be there right now.”

According to Victor Shermer of Armed Service Blood Bank Center-PNW, many people are under the assumption that they are not eligible to donate because of several reason. These reasons vary from new tattoos, to travel locations or deployments.

Here are some facts regarding some common misconceptions:

You do not have to wait 12 months to donate if you have recently received a tattoo. The requirement is for you to only wait seven days for the tattoo to heal.

You can donate if you have recently received the vaccinations against the H1N1, Anthrax, or any other immunization.

If you have recently returned from Kuwait or the United Arab Emirates, you can donate. However, if you deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, you do have to wait 12 months to give blood.

With each blood drive, the goal is to collect 150 units of blood. FRC NW will hold another blood drive in mid to late October and all are welcome to participate.  If you have questions as to whether or not you can donate, you can review the donor eligibility at: http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil{{PERIOD}}

Every drop counts and each donation is confidential.

The people at FRC NW saved 300 lives this month, and with your donations we could save even more.

If you wish to participate in the next FRC NW blood drive, contact Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW) Christopher Elder at: or Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class (AW/SW) Thomas Refuge at: