blood drive

RAF Lakenheath hosted an Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Europe blood drive at RAF Lakenheath, England, May 11. Personnel from near-by bases came out to donate. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, DOD civilian personnel and contractors came out to administer the blood drive. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Knox)

blood drive

A lab technician volunteer checks the blood pressure of Airman 1st Class Maxo Pierre Component Maintenance Squadron jet engine mechanic, before he is allowed to donate at the Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Europe blood drive at RAFlakenheath May 11. There are at least three stations to go to before actually being allowed to give blood. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Knox)

blood drive

Brenda Johnson, wife of Tech. Sgt. Timothy Johnson 48th Component Maintenance Squadron assistant chief of moduler repair, relaxes after donating blood as her daughter, Evelyn, 4, has a snack May 11. Personnel from near-by bases came out to donate for the Armed Services Bllod drive held at RAF Lakenheath, England. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Knox)

blood drive

Airman Joshua Allen 100th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment apprentice, grabs a snack and a mandatory fifteen-minute break after donating at the Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Europe blood drive at RAF lakeheath, England, May 11. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, DOD civilian personnel and contractors came out to administer the blood drive. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eboni Knox)

ASBBC-E holds blood drive at RAF Lakenheath

Published May 14, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Eboni Knox
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The Liberty Wing hosted an Armed Services Blood Bank Center-Europe blood drive in the base Fitness Center here May 11.

With a mission to operate a regional blood bank center and provide transfusion services, which provides quality blood products, the ASBBC-Europe is gainfully employed. RAF Lakenheath was one of many stops around Europe to call on Armed Forces members and their families to help out each other and others.

More than 280 personnel and dependents, from RAF Lakenheath and nearby bases, came out to donate.

"Taking some time out of my day to come donate is an easy way to give back," said Tech. Sgt. Tonia Jean-Pierre, 48th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical craftsman. A few years back I bled out pretty bad, blood transfusions saved my life."

Personnel from multiple squadrons from local bases volunteered throughout the day.

"Volunteering for these kinds of events is great," said Maj. Lee Rickard, 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron nurse. "A couple hours is nothing compared to the impact the blood drive has."

All in all, 211 good units of blood were collected.

"It's always good to see Armed Forces members volunteering and going out of their way to donate blood," said Capt. Robert Curtis, 48th Medical Support Squadron chief of laboratory support services. "It was a great turn out and a lot was accomplished."