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Team Fairchild donates to save lives

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Taylor Curry
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Once a month, members of Team Fairchild have the opportunity to give back to those in need. The Inland Northwest Blood Center collects blood donations on base and provides blood and services to support transfusion and transplantation medicine in the Inland Northwest.

Since 1945, INBC has been committed to serving the patients on the Inland Northwest with state-of-the-art technology and outstanding customer service.

"Helping the community is what we do," said Jennifer Tollefson, INBC recruitment coordinator. "Each donation can save up to three lives. We need approximately 200 units of blood per day, and as the only supplier to more than 35 area hospitals, we rely on our community and Fairchild's generosity to help keep blood on our shelves for people in need."

The next opportunity to donate will be Nov. 22 and Dec. 27 at the Base Exchange. To donate, individuals must be in good health and meet general eligibility criteria such as:

-Donors must be 16 years of age and have photo identification. Anyone under age 18 must complete the Minor Donor Consent form.

-For whole blood, donors must be at least 110 pounds. Anyone under age 17 must weigh at least 120 pounds and be at least 5'4'' tall.

-For double red blood cells, male donors need to be at least 130 pounds and at least 5'1'' tall. Anyone under age 17 must weigh at least 130 pounds and be at least 5'4'' tall. Female donors must weigh at least 150 pounds and be at least 5'5'' tall.

-For platelet/plasma, donors need to be at least 110 pounds. Anyone under age 17 must weigh at least 120 pounds and be at least 5'4'' tall. It must be 28 days since the last donation, and no more than 24 donations per year are allowed.

"Our goals for the next few drives range between 20-30 units," said Tollefson. "The year of 2012 was great with up to 40 units per drive. It is my goal to try to get to those numbers again, and I believe it can be done with communication and knowledge of the drive dates."

All blood types are needed, but right now, the most needed is O negative and A negative, added Tollefson.

The process of donating only takes about 45 minutes. Once the donation process is complete, donors can relax with refreshments such as juice and other snacks.

"Fairchild Airmen support our community in many ways, but a blood donation could mean the difference between life and death," said Capt. Jessica Jacquay, base blood drive officer. "Donating blood takes time, energy and effort, but I know that won't stop our Airmen. When you think about the life you could save, it's worth it."

Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be made online at www.inbcsaves.org.