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Fairchild to be recognized at local award ceremony

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Lackey
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Team Fairchild will be recognized as a generous contributor to blood donation efforts at the Heroes for Life ceremonial banquet scheduled for April 10 at Spokane Community College.

The Inland Northwest Blood Center nominated the base after it held a record breaking blood drive Dec.16, 2016, where the combined efforts of a few Airmen helped the base donate more blood in one year than ever before.

“Our efforts not only help the local community, but nationwide,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Comes, 92nd Medical Group diagnostics flight commander. “We have Airmen who are paying it forward by helping to save lives and are setting an example for others to follow their lead.”

The INBC has sent a Mobile Donation Collection Bus to the base for years, but has not seen a large, coordinated collection effort in several years.

One Airman wanted to do more and worked to create a blood drive for his unit, which would grow into a base-wide effort.

“I’m honestly surprised that it grew as big as it did,” said Staff Sgt. Daniel Valeri, 92nd Maintenance Squadron aerospace ground equipment journeyman. “It was an awesome feeling to be a part of the effort and to see so many people show up to give blood. I’m really proud the base is being recognized for it.”

Fairchild’s cooperation with the local blood bank had to be set up from scratch by Airmen volunteers, as the base does not have the facilities for its own blood collection efforts.

“It was great to help our Airmen work with the INBC,” Comes said. “I’d like to see our donation participation continue to grow. The local community can always rely on Fairchild Airmen to give blood.”

Fairchild is hosting its first large blood drive event of the year on Apr. 7, at the base chapel. For more information or to make a reservation to donate blood, contact Airman 1st Class Ryan Lackey at 509-247-8346, or make a reservation on the INBC website: https://www.bloodhero.com/index.cfm?group=op&expand=710708&zc=99011