U.S. Military Blood Programs deliver lifesaving support

ByRobbieHammer

Whilecollectingbloodisavitalpartofthe ArmedServicesBloodProgram,deliveringit tothefieldensuresthatmedicalprofessionals have the supply they need to save lives. TheASBP,alongwithbloodprogramsfrom each military service, supports combatant commandsbytransportinglife-savingblood tothebattlefield

“The ASBP works closely with the combatant commands to ensure that blood products are available and delivered to the locations where they are needed,” U.S. Army Col. (P) Christopher Lee Evans, director of the Army Blood Program at Joint Base San Antonio “The service components’ blood programs play avitalroleinensuringthatmilitaryservice members and their families receive the care and treatment they need to survive on the battlefield and helps save lives in times of emergency.” The ASBP gets blood donations through the blood drives they hold around the world at their collection centers or through their mobile blood drives

“Thebloodourpatientsneedistheblood we have on the shelf right now We need people to get out, donate blood, and make a habitofit.TheASBPisdedicatedtosupportingourwarfighters,theirfamilies,veterans, andretirees,”saidU.S.NavyLt Cmdr Jeffrey Hebert,headoftheU.S.Navybloodprogram.

Having an excess of blood supply “comes downtoreadiness,”accordingtoHebert.

“Blood is one of those things where you don’tknowyouneedituntilyoudo Having bloodontheshelfensuresmedicalproviders have the tools they need to save lives when theyneedit,”hesaid.

Getting Blood to Where it is Needed

After receiving the donated blood, the ASBPthenneedstogetthebloodtocombatant commands The ASBP first processes, tests,andstorestheblood.

“The collected blood is then packaged and shipped to military hospitals and clinics, forward-deployed locations, and other locations as needed. Once shipped, the blood is then stored in a blood bank until it isneededforasurgicalprocedureoremergencytransfusion.Then,thebloodisdelivered to the field/surgical unit, where it is administered to the patient by a medical professional,” said Evans

What Happens if There is a Shortage in the Field

“Ifthereisashortageofbloodinthefield, theASBPmayincreasethenumberofblood drives, or collect blood from other sources such as other blood banks or use commercial flights to transport the blood from one locationtoanother,”saidEvans The ASBP coordinates with military hospitalsorclinics,forward-deployedlocations, and other organizations to ensure a steady supply of blood is available to meet theneedsofthemilitary, headded

The ASBP may also hold blood drives in the field to support military operations worldwide, or mobile blood drives from donorsatforward-deployedlocations,militarybases,andotherlocations.

“Thesemobileblooddrivesareusuallyset up in temporary locations, such as tents or trailers and are essential to meet the needs ofthemilitaryinthefield,”saidEvans ASBP’sprimaryfocusistogetthedonated blood to the warfighter or family member whoneedit.

“We enable survival,” Hebert said. “War isnotpretty,butbloodhelpsbringourwarfighters back home By having blood available at our military hospitals and clinics, it brings a feeling of security to our warfighters because they know their families and loved ones will have the blood they need at homewhensomethinghappens.”

For more information on The Armed ServicesBloodProgramvisit https://health mil/Military-Health-Topics/Health-Readiness/ASBP