Save a Life! Donate blood

  • Published
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  There will be an Armed Services Blood Program community blood drive at the base fitness center on May 10 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Armed Services Blood Program collects blood from the military community -- servicemembers, family members, retirees and Department of Defense civilians -- and reserves the collection for use within in our community.

Those with a U.S. social security number may donate -- please review the following information and restrictions:

Additional Information/Restrictions:

Tattoos and permanent make-up acquired outside the U.S. is a one year deferral.

If you had a tattoo in any of the following listed states, you may not donate for at least 12 months:

California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wyoming, and Washington (if the tattoo was acquired prior to July 1, 2010, one year deferral, after that date is a one week wait)

All other U.S. states are acceptable after one week of acquiring the tattoo.

You will not be able to donate blood if:
· You have a cold, flu or fever
· You have had acupuncture in the past 12 months
· You weigh less than 110 pounds
· You traveled to Iraq, Eastern Turkey, Afghanistan or western provinces of Saudi Arabia (excluding the high altitude areas of Asir Province and the urban areas of Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Riyadh and Taif/ Prince Sultan Airbase) in the last year
· Within the last two years, you traveled to South Korea and were north of Seoul at any time including the Demilitarize Zone Tour (provide specific dates)
· You spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980-1996
***UK time after Dec. 31, 1996, does not count against a person for donating (not counted as European time)
· You spent six months or more at a military installation in Europe from 1980-1996
· You have lived in Europe for five years or more since 1 January 1980
· (Except UK after 31 Dec 1996)
· You have had Hepatitis after your 11th birthday
· You have HIV, or ever tested positive for HIV
· You are pregnant or have been pregnant in the last six weeks

You MUST Know:
· The name of any medication you are taking or have taken in the past four weeks (i.e. Aspirin, Tylenol, birth control pills, antibiotics, etc.)
· Any immunizations (including smallpox) administered in the past four weeks.
· Every Place you have been to outside of the U.S. or Canada since 1980. (Include all deployments.)

To make an appointment to donate go to: www.militarydonor.com

Walk-ins are also welcome.