Skip to main content

Military Health System

Test of Sitewide Banner

This is a test of the sitewide banner capability. In the case of an emergency, site visitors would be able to visit the news page for addition information.

Blood Needed: Armed Services Blood Program Urges Donors to Step Up

Image of Navy Lieutenant Daniel Murrish, a Sailor serving aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point, donates blood during a blood drive hosted by the Armed Services Blood Program. . Navy Lieutenant Daniel Murrish, a Sailor serving aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point, donates blood during a blood drive hosted by the Armed Services Blood Program (Photo by Thomas Cieslak)

The Armed Services Blood Program says donations are down and is encouraging volunteers to step up and donate blood to replenish the supply.

"Blood supply is critically low across the nation," not only for the ASBP, but for civilian organizations as well, said Army Col. Audra Taylor, the ASBP's division chief. The ASBP provides lifesaving blood products to service members, their families, retirees and veterans worldwide.

"Historically, donations decrease in the holiday and winter months due to schedule changes, people taking leave, families going on vacation, weather conditions or illnesses impeding people from donating," Taylor said.

"This year, it's all of those things in addition to COVID-19 restrictions and overall health and safety concerns for potential donors and ASBP blood donor center team members."

Army Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Ronald Place, the Defense Health Agency's director, echoed the sentiments about the importance of blood donors and a steady resupply of blood products.

"Adequate blood supplies are a critical part of a ready medical force. Our medical providers must have everything they need to complete their mission, including blood. A donation can be done in as little as one hour and yield lifesaving blood products for surgical procedures, traumatic injuries, chronic illness, and cancer treatment," Place said.

Blood is Vital Year-Round

"There is no substitute for blood," said Taylor. "It's a critical tool in saving lives." Administered to treat various conditions, blood products are essential for warfighters in combat operations and for emergency use wherever they are, Taylor added.

"It's also necessary to conduct surgeries at military hospitals and clinics," she said. "It could be critical to the survival of a newborn baby. It could give treatment to those with blood-borne illnesses, with certain cancers, for burn victims."

The ASBP ensures global military medical centers, hospitals and clinics have immediate and easy access to safe and viable blood and blood products. This includes whole blood, red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and transfusible components derived from them.

"But it's not possible for ASBP to fulfill its mission if not for our donors," Taylor said.

In general, most people don't think about blood until it's needed, she added.

Additionally, blood products will expire if left on the shelf for too long. Some blood products are only viable for a few days or weeks. "It needs to be on the shelf before the need arises," Taylor said.

National Blood Donor Month

Military leaders and medical providers are very grateful for the many military community members who have participated in blood donor programs in recent years.

National Blood Donor Month was established in January 1969 to address blood shortages during the holiday and winter season and to thank donors who have supported the nation's blood supply throughout the year.

As the official provider of blood products to the U.S. armed forces and military community, the ASBP helps ensure mission readiness around the world.

"We focus on equipping the warfighter with the lifesaving blood and blood products they need on the battlefield as well as in military hospitals and clinics worldwide," said Taylor.

This includes collecting, processing, storing, transporting, and distributing blood and products to ill or injured service members, their families, retirees, and veterans around the world.

Where Can you Donate?

ASBP blood donor centers are located throughout the United States and at locations around the world.

"We have over 20 donor centers, and many of them conduct mobile blood drives around their areas and sometimes in places further away on a regular basis," Taylor explained.

"As the Defense Department's blood program, we are limited to collect at federally owned or leased properties only," she said. "But we're thankful for the many bases, academies, centers, and more that help us make mission and sponsor regular blood drives.

Ready to donate? If you are able and eligible, find a blood drive or blood donor center near you at www.militarydonor.com.

You also may be interested in...

Saving Lives: U.S. Naval Academy Hosts Successful ASBP Blood Drive

Article
4/20/2023
Saving Lives: U.S. Naval Academy Hosts Successful ASBP Blood Drive

In April, the Armed Services Blood Program held a two-day blood drive at the U.S. Naval Academy. A steady stream of midshipmen attended the drive, along with U.S. Naval Academy staff and others. Hundreds donated.

Armed Services Blood Program Bids Farewell to Beloved 'Irish Nurse'

Article
4/19/2023
Armed Services Blood Program Bids Farewell to Beloved 'Irish Nurse'

Armed Services Blood Bank Center - National Capital Region’s (ASBBC-NCR) “Irish Nurse” Finola Brophy-Houlihan retired after more than 43 years in nursing, including more than three decades in military and civilian blood collection.

Donate Blood at USNA Blood Drive and Save Lives with the ASBP

Article
3/24/2023
Donate Blood at USNA Blood Drive and Save Lives with the ASBP

Join the ASBP at the United States Naval Academy blood drive on April 19 and April 20 in Dahlgren Hall for an opportunity to support lifesaving efforts.

PEO-DHMS Fact Sheet: Joint Operational Medicine Information Systems Theater Blood Mobile

Fact Sheet
3/24/2023

TBLD-M program supports the wartime mission of the Armed Services Blood Program to provide overall blood management services to United States deployed personnel around the globe.

U.S. Military Blood Programs Deliver Lifesaving Support

Article
3/8/2023
U.S. Military Blood Programs Deliver Lifesaving Support

While collecting blood is a vital part of the Armed Services Blood Program, delivering it to the field ensures that medical professionals have the supply they need to save lives. The ASBP, along with blood programs from each military service, supports combatant commands by transporting life-saving blood to the battlefield.

How to Host a Blood Drive

Fact Sheet
2/6/2023

This fact sheet explains how to host an Armed Services Blood Program Blood Drive.

Armed Services Blood Program Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
2/6/2023

This fact sheet describes the Armed Services Blood Program, and provides locations of where you can donate blood for the military.

USU Students Dedication Leads to Mission Critical Lifesaving Blood Drives

Article Around MHS
1/20/2023
U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Adam Stainiger

Blood provides life-extending properties. No one knows this like U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Adam Stainiger does. Find out how his own mother's health journey prompted Stainiger's dedication hosting blood drives to help other service members and their families.

Donated Blood Saves Lives

Article
1/20/2023
Military personnel donating blood

The Military Health System needs many units of blood every day. The Armed Services Blood Program has a mission to meet that need globally, whenever, and wherever needed.

January is National Blood Donor Month

Video
1/5/2023
January is National Blood Donor Month

Blood is being collected to be shipped out all over the world and we have Army, Air Force, Navy and DOD civilians acting as the local community. Now more than ever, especially in the pandemic, we need to donate and give blood as there has been a shortage of blood donors. What better time than on National Blood Donor Month?

Mad Cow Disease 2022

Photo
11/9/2022
Graphic of blood donation from Armed Services Blood Program

Welcome back, blood donors! The Food and Drug Administration has recently updated its guidelines, and Armed Services Blood Program blood donors who were once deferred for geographic risk factors related to vCJD, commonly known as “Mad Cow” disease, or for the receipt of a blood transfusion in the U.K., France or Ireland during certain periods of time, may now be eligible to donate, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. (Jonathon Davis, MHS)

"Mad Cow" Blood Donor Ban Lifted

Article
11/9/2022
Graphic of blood donation from Armed Services Blood Program

"Mad Cow" blood donor ban lifted by the FDA.

Blood Recipient ‘Keeps On’ Telling Others About the Impact Donors Make

Article Around MHS
9/1/2022
Vanessa Aguilar donating blood

Vanessa Aguilar is the ASBP blood donor recruiter at U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guam Blood Donor Center (US NMRTCG BDC). 

World Blood Donor Day

Infographic
6/1/2022
World Blood Donor Day Infographic

#WorldBloodDonorDay is a time to celebrate lifesavers around the world. When you donate blood with the Armed Services Blood Program, you affect positive change for our military community worldwide. Donate today! Militarydonor.com

World Blood Donor Day - Ready Set Donate

Infographic
6/1/2022
World Blood Donor Day

This #WorldBloodDonorDay, consider how your blood donation could save lives. With this simple act of generosity, you could be saving the life of someone’s brother, sister, parent, or friend. Find out where you can #ReadySetDonate today: militarydonor.com And thank you to all those who have already donated!

Page 1 of 4 , showing items 1 - 15
First < 1 2 3 4 > Last 
Refine your search
Last Updated: January 31, 2023
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery