The Source for Navy News
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Sponsors Blood Drive and Bone Marrow Donor Recruitment Drive
Story Number: NNS031017-22
Release Date: 10/17/2003 1:58:00 PM
By Doris M. Ryan, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Military and civilian staff members at Naval Medicine’s headquarters donated blood and registered as potential bone marrow donors during a joint drive October 8.
They added their names to a list of nearly 40,000 donors who gave blood this year during drives supported by the Navy Blood Program. They also joined over 20,000 volunteers who registered as potential bone marrow donors through the C.W. “Bill” Young/DoD Marrow Donor Program.
“Blood donations save lives on the battlefield and every day at military medical treatment facilities world-wide. The volunteer spirit of the BUMED (Bureau of Medicine) staff mirrors that of our Sailors, Marines and dedicated civilians who comprise our forces and is an incredible source of pride to me. I want to thank everyone who gave blood this year and who registered as volunteer marrow donors,” said Vice Adm. Michael L. Cowan, Medical Corps, surgeon general of the Navy and chief of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
Having blood when and where it is needed is key to medical readiness.
“Blood collected during this drive will be sent to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. for screening and processing. The blood will be separated into three different components - packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrates. Once cleared for patient use, the blood products will be inventoried and entered into the blood distribution system,” said Cmdr. Michael Libby, director of the Navy Blood Program.
The blood products will be available for use at military treatment facilities or sent to the Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory for shipment overseas to support current operations.
“Right now we average 400 units per week of fresh frozen plasma and packed red blood cells being shipped overseas. Two hundred of those units are type O blood. The Navy Blood Program provides blood to remote locations overseas where it is not possible to test for blood type, making type O the only safe blood to use,” said Libby.
Type O blood is considered a universal blood type that can be transfused into any individual without adverse effects.
“This year we collected 38,000 units of blood. The goal in 2004 is 42,000 units. The increase supports a frozen blood replacement program next year. Also, beginning next year we will be using new technology to freeze 4,000 units of type O red cells,” said Libby.
During the blood drive, a representative from the C.W. “Bill” Young/DoD Marrow Donor Program was recruiting volunteers.
“Each year thousands of Americans develop diseases potentially cured by a bone marrow transplant. Thirty percent of patients have a suitably matched donor in their family. The remaining 70 percent need marrow from a volunteer,” said Capt. Robert Hartzman, director of the DoD marrow donor program.
“The DoD program currently has over 330,000 volunteers listed. Over 1,000 have provided bone marrow to strangers to help save their lives. More than 100 DoD beneficiaries have received bone marrow transplants from volunteers,” Hartzman said.
Beyond the obvious humanitarian mission of the DoD Marrow Donor Program, there is a military contingency mission to provide support in the event of a mass casualty incident involving chemical or radiation exposure.
“In 2004 our goal is to add at least 25,000 new DoD volunteers through marrow drives like this one,” said Hartzman. “Generally there is a donor drive in the U.S. or overseas or on a ship nearly every working day.”
For related news, visit the Navy Medicine Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/mednews.
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