Wing conducts blood drive

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 944th Fighter Wing will team up with United Blood Services for a blood drive Oct. 5, 2008. A UBS bus will be parked behind building 988 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

All donors at the wing drives will automatically be entered daily to win one of two pairs of tickets to the Grand Canyon Railway.

Volunteer blood donors contribute to nearly all the blood used for patient care in the United States.

Types O-positive and O-negative are in greatest demand because Type O blood is the universal type used primarily in emergencies and traumas.

Family members are also welcomed and encouraged to donate during the wing blood drive.

Potential donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors must show proper identification, which includes a driver's license, UBS donor card, social security card, or passport.

For questions regarding donor eligibility requirements due to deployments or temporary duty assignments, call (800) 288-2199, ext. 5497.

Donors should drink plenty of water and eat a light meal prior to donating. In addition, donors should being a list of medications and travel dates and destinations outside the United States.

Interested individuals can schedule an appointment online by visiting www.bloodhero.com, sponsor code lafb, or by calling Tech. Sgt. Susan Stout at (623) 856-3490.

Donors may also choose to donate double red blood cells. Males must weigh at least 130 pounds and be 5'1" tall. Females must weigh at least 150 pounds and be 5'5" tall.

For more information about donor qualifications, visit the United Blood Services Web site at www.unitedbloodservices.org.