MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- The Blood Donor Center at Naval Medical Center San Diego Blood Bank currently seeks eligible donors of all types.
To meet the need for blood, the Navy Bloodmobile is scheduled to visit the air station Monday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Marine Corps Exchange.
The blood received will be shipped to deployed service members or be stored at the NMCSD.
“It is estimated that less than 5 percent of healthy Americans eligible to donate blood actually do so,” said Doreen Rekoski, a NMCSD blood donor recruiter.
There are many things that can keep people from giving blood, explained Rekoski. Things like travel to malaria endemic areas, tattoos received within the past 12 months, illness, and more can keep someone from being an eligible donor.
One of the most common reasons service members are not able to give blood is deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. People who have deployed must wait one year before donating blood, explained Rekoski. To determine if you are eligible please contact the local blood donor center or visit the Armed Services Blood Program Web site at www.militaryblood.dod.mil.
Service members interested in donating blood can visit the blood donor center at NMCSD. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m, Monday through Friday and is located at building 2 on the first floor. Appointments to give blood can be made by calling 619-532-7846, however an appointment is not necessary.
“I donate blood because it is just another way to take care of service members,” said Ensign Jennifer Gordon, Staff Nurse at NMCSD. “I think it is something everyone should do.”