An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

October Blood Drive is next week

  • Published
  • By Bekah Clark
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The American Red Cross at Scott Air Force Base will host its monthly blood drive Tuesday at Rockwell Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Last month's drive garnered 134 pints of blood and 40 first-time donors. While these numbers are significantly higher than those for past drives at Scott, there is still room for growth.

Approximately 38 percent of the entire American population is eligible to donate, and with more than 10,000 military and civilian personnel who work at Scott, the base as a whole has potential far beyond 130 pints of blood.

"I'm proud the Scott community stepped up to give more blood last month," said Colonel Hornitschek. "I'd love to see this growth continue.

"I challenge the Scott community to increase the amount donated again to more than 150 pints of blood."

September's drive may have included longer-than-usual lines and wait times, which Stephanie Pitt, Scott's American Red Cross station manager, attributes to historically smaller turnouts.

"If the Scott community proves to Blood Services that we're going to have substantial monthly donations, they'll send the beds and the staff to accommodate that increase," she said. "We have to show them that those extra beds and staff will be gainfully employed while they're here."

Ms. Pitt hopes this trend of increasing donations continues.

"For every unit of blood collected up to three people's lives can be saved," said Ms. Pitt.
Blood drives at Scott are held on the second Tuesday of every month in Rockwell Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

According to Air Force Instruction 36-815, Absence and Leave, civilian members are excused from work without being charged leave for the time necessary to donate blood and for recuperation following blood donation. Military members are also excused from duties to give blood.

For more information about blood donation, its importance and eligibility please visit www.redcrossblood.org. Or for information on Scott's American Red Cross activities and blood drives call 256-3292.