Armed Services Blood Program

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP

BY ARMED SERVICES BLOOD PROGRAM (ASBP)

With everything that has been going on over the past six to eight months, people have been asking themselves, “What can I do to help during these unprecedented times?”

The answer is simpler than most may think…. donate blood.

The Fort Bliss Blood Donor Center, one of twenty donor centers that are part of the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP), collects whole blood, platelets and plasma. The donor center’s area of operation is West Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona; however, donations can only be collected on federal property per Department of Defense (DoD) guidance.

When COVID-19 hit El Paso, everyone was affected differently, but it was increasingly difficult on the donor center. “We have seen a 40-50% drop in donations compared to this time last year. This is to be expected with the national stay at home orders in most states

We are asking all those service members and and minimal staff requirements across all spouses who have tested military

positive for COVID-19 to please donate CCP at the donor center.

-Captain Annette Mott Chief of Transfusion Services and Blood Donor Center Officer in charge installations,” said Captain Annette Mott, Chief of Transfusion Services and Blood Donor Center Officer in charge.

In addition to low donor turn out, the Defense Health Agency is requiring the ASBP to collect 10,000 units of Convalescent Plasma (CCP).

“We are asking all those service members and spouses who have tested positive for COVID-19 to please donate CCP at the donor center. This plasma is being transfused to patients at William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC), who are struggling to recover from the virus,” said Cpt. Mott.

New DoD guidance has helped increase the donor pool for the ASBP.

“There used to be a restriction from donating for anyone who lived in or was stationed in Europe, and especially Germany, for more than five years cumulative from 1996-present. Effective July 2020, that restriction was reversed,” said Cpt. Mott.

All service members, spouses, veterans and retirees, who were prohibited from donating, are now eligible and are encouraged to donate blood as soon as possible. The donor center is located at 2489 Ricker Road, across from the Army Community Service building. The donor center accepts walk-ins from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday or an appointment can be made by calling 915- 742-6365.