The Armed Services Blood Program thanks supporters during the Fort Hood Tragedy

The Armed Services Blood Program sends a heart felt thank you to every donor at Fort Hood’s Robertson Blood Donor Center whose donations helped to ensure blood was available for those wounded in yesterday’s tragedy. Blood products were also sent from Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston and Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base, in support of the injured.

Several civilian agencies reached out to the Armed Services Blood Program to provide backup support of blood products, and for that we are grateful.

Throughout this extraordinarily tragic time, the staff and personnel at Robertson Blood Donor Center, Fort Hood, Texas, and the transfusion services staff at Darnall Army Medical Center Transfusion Services Center have worked tirelessly to ensure that blood products are available to help treat the wounded at Darnall Army Medical Center. More than 139 units of blood products were transfused during treatment of the injured and we thank the dedicated blood bank personnel who made this possible.

For all of our tremendous supporters who would gladly continue to line up and give blood we are pleased to say that the current military blood supply is adequate.

There are many reports throughout Texas and in other farther regions where donor centers may ask for your support while citing the need at Fort Hood. Please remember that while some donor centers local to the Fort Hood area may be asking for these donations to maintain supplies after having provided support in anticipation of a continuing need at Fort Hood, the need has been met. Any critical need for blood donations to the Armed Services Blood Program will only be released through official military channels.

The Armed Services Blood Program thanks you, our donors, again and simply asks that you give blood regularly, as blood is perishable, and the upcoming holiday season always sees a downturn in donations due to holiday travel. Regular blood donors are the heart and soul of every blood program and are needed throughout the year.

Please visit us online for more information or to schedule an appointment at www.militaryblood.dod.mil. If you are unable to give to a military blood donor center, please give to your local blood program.

The Power of Blood Is Yours.

Source: COL Frank Rentas, Director, Armed Services Blood Program