military, the ASBP's mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide, according to Riggs. Since 1952, the ASBP has been tasked with ensuring the safety of the military's blood supply.Īs the official blood program of the U.S. What is the Armed Services Blood Program? "A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components-red cells, platelets and plasma- which can be used individually for patients with specific conditions." "Blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person-the gift of life," he said. Riggs added that everyone should consider donating blood, if they are eligible. Blood safety is always our top priority." Riggs said that "standard procedures are in place to assure that donors are healthy at the time of donation and serve as an effective safeguard against collecting blood or blood components from a donor after the onset of clinical symptoms of vCJD. Leslie Riggs, division chief of the ASBP.Īccording to the FDA, most individuals who were once deferred should now be eligible to donate blood, assuming they meet all other donor requirements. Now, with lifting of the ban, the Armed Services Blood Program wants to see an increase in donors with "thousands of military members and their families who had been excluded from being able to donate blood because of geographical travel or military assignment now being eligible to donate," said U.S. In 2020, the FDA lifted the vCJD disease travel deferral for the majority of affected European countries, but it wasn't until May 2022 that it was determined to be safe enough to lift the ban for the U.K., France, and Ireland. Since the 1980s, the existence of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, referenced as vCJD and otherwise known as the "Mad Cow" disease, banned many potential donors from donating blood-in particular, those who have served in or traveled to certain countries in Europe. Processing– Greet donors as they enter the room and assist with the Red Cross check in process maintain order on who goes next into the histories area.Ĭanteen– Make sure all donors get seated and has something to eat and drink after they donate Assist with getting drinks to donors if needed while they are donatingįor more information, contact the EUC Assistant Director for Facilities & Services Kathleen McGirty.Armed Services Blood Program | Can I Donate | Be A DonorĪ decades-old blood donor ban was recently lifted by the Food and Drug Administration, potentially increasing the nation's blood supply by hundreds of thousands of donors each year. Please make sure all volunteers sign in and out and create a name tag. Greeters- Responsible for the check in process for the donors and volunteers. To make a blood drive successful volunteers are needed to assist in various areas. If you chose to sign up for more then one slot please make sure you are able to keep your commitment. Volunteers can sign up for more then one time slot. Blood Drive Volunteers-PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. Donors who do not provide the pass will be asked to complete the questions again. Donors must print out their pass or email the PDF to themselves and show it on their mobile device when they come to donate.It is only used to complete the pre-reading and pre-donation questionnaire in advance of an appointment. RapidPass does not take the place of scheduling an appointment.Donors can complete RapidPass using a desktop, laptop or your cell phone.The donor must complete the steps to redeem their pass on the day they donate. RapidPass cannot be completed prior to the date of the drive.RapidPass offers donors a way to complete their pre-reading and donation questions online from the comfort and privacy of their home or office, reducing the time they spend at blood drives by as much as 15 minutes.Ĥ. The American Red Cross is excited to introduce RapidPass, a new tool that allows blood donors to help save lives in less time. NOTE: Double blood donation is only accepting blood types A-, B-, O+, and O. Also, bring the names of any medications you are currently taking. Bring your Red Cross donor card (optional), driver’s license or two other forms of identification. Next blood drive is Tuesday, April 11 2023Īny questions contact Kathleen McGirty at Come Preparedīe sure to come prepared when giving blood.
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