Type O Blood Donors Badly Needed (US Defense Dept.)

[Nambe]

US Department of Defense

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2003 – The Armed Services Blood Program needs eligible Type O blood donors to support ongoing military operations worldwide and to replenish the military's frozen blood reserves.

"Type O donors are the first line of defense for trauma victims. Until a blood type can be verified, Type O blood is used to keep trauma victims alive," said Air Force Lt. Col. Ruth Sylvester, Armed Services Blood Program director. "Once their blood type is determined, type-specific blood is transfused. But without Type O blood available, many patients would never make it until the test results came back."

A single battlefield injury victim can require more than 40 units of blood in an emergency.

Swallow thy arrogant words, oh Pentagon!
Beware the brave Backlash
Of shock and awe
The fear laden memories of the dreaded Shaw
Once shielded by thy merciless sword.

Before lie the multitudes..Vengeful allies of the Dead.
At thine heal, the patient bearers of Truth and Justice
Seek thy head.

[LauraK]

1. The Dems should jump on this to show support for the troops.

I will Email Dean and Kucinich.

[htuttle]

2. Whatever do they need to ask for blood for?

I thought the war was over? Are there people getting wounded that we aren't getting told about?

(and yes...I already know the answer...and I'm not Type O, so I can't help anyway).

[Monte Carlo]

3. I guess I should finally suck it up and give blood...

I have Type O blood, and I have known for a long time that that makes me a universal donor. I should have given blood in the past, but the process stops me. Not so much the needle, but also the sense of being drained.

If that's the worst thing that happens to me, I should think that I am lucky. I'm not over in Iraq in constant fear of getting picked off.

[Kookaburra]

12. Fear Not Monte

Like you, I was blessed with a universal blood type. I've given blood regularly since I was 17 (many moons ago). It doesn't really hurt, and you won't feel like you're being drained. You do, however, get a very good feeling from knowing that you've possibly saved a life. (And you get cookies afterward)

[trogdor]

4. I assume they are less hung up about where I've been than the ARC.

...what with my having been stationed in Germany TWO DECADES AGO.

Uh, yes they are...

Mad Cow Deferrals
Much attention has been focused on the deferral of blood donors who may have been exposed to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. While there have been no documented cases of vCJD being transmitted through blood transfusion, deferral of those who may have been exposed is the prudent course of action until a test to detect vCJD in blood can be developed. Though many people who were stationed in Europe must now be deferred, many others who served in this area may still be eligible. Being in Europe during specific years and for extended lengths of time are the main things to consider when evaluating whether or not you are eligible to donate. Potential donors will be deferred if they have:

* Traveled or resided in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 for a cumulative period of three months or more.
* Been affiliated with the Department of Defense (DoD) and been stationed in Europe from 1980 through 1996 for a cumulative period of six months or more.
* Traveled or resided in Europe from 1980 to present for a cumulative period of five years (applies to DoD personnel on or after January 1, 1997).
* Received a transfusion in the United Kingdom since 1980.
* Received bovine insulin produced in the United Kingdom since 1980.

For detailed eligibility criteria CLICK HERE.

Damn shame. I'm a universal donor (O-negative).

[jono]

10. Hmmm...

Unlike the Red Cross, they don't seem to list homosexuality as a donation disqualifier.

Perhaps the military would want my gay blood even though the Red Cross doesn't?

[underpants]

5. I called you have to be active duty/retired/govt. contractor/spouse

They aren't allowed to recruit and take possible donors from the Red Cross either.

[gratuitous]

6. First, they took a third of my paycheck

Then, they said the troops needed additional supplies, and that I should send them even more.

Then, they insisted that there be no criticism of the Commander in Chief.

Then, they called me unamerican and told me to stop protesting in the streets.

Then, after giving up my salary, disposable income and civil rights, I wondered what they would want next? And the answer came to me.

I was just kidding.

[MaineDem]

7. When I was in college

Back in the early 70s, we had blood drives for the soldiers in Nam.

Major flashback here!

[pw]

9. I'm bleeding as fast as I can

but I guess it will be domestic consumption only, since I'm not any of those categories.

Of course, plenty of folks right at home need blood too.

[BelgianMadCow]

16. blooddrives are quite common in belgium though

we had one every year in college. We probably export the stuff :-)

[DagmarK]

8. I am assuming that the people of Iraq and Afghanistan don't have O

**** it isn't like there isn't a population of millions sitting right there at a potential Int'l Red Cross Blood Bank in the city centers that have Type O.......

Or are they not interested in giving blood to their liberators?

Of course we need to donate....but still......I would say there is a lot of Type O right near the battlefield.

[trogdor]

11. Yep.

All those people sitting in air-conditioned offices in the rear, you know. Make 'em all bleed.

As I said previously, I can't. I'm just a lowly Reservist and I was stationed in Germany back in the early 1980's. I guess they're not desperate enough yet.

[TeeYiYi]

13. I wonder where you donate so that it makes it to the soldiers?

I have Type O. I would consider donating if they really are in a crisis. Doesn't a lot of blood get thrown out?

TYY

[TahitiNut]

14. Well, they got the sweat and tears.

:eyes:

[headlouse]

15. if they just brought them home....

they wouldn't have to worry about all this blood shortage stuff.