Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) Apheresis Donor Center, honor dedicated blood donors during National Blood Donor Month.

According to the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) website, blood donation, whether in the form of whole blood, platelets, or plasma, is considered a treatment, like a medicine in the medical field. Blood donations help burn victims heal tissue, cancer patients combat diseased cells, and trauma victims stay alive.

"When great donors come forward to donate, the Armed Services Blood Program is successful in meeting its mission needs," said Marjorie Walter, program manager at the Apheresis Donor Center at WRNMMC.

Walter also shared that the National Capital Region's ASBP collected more than 5,600 blood product donations in 2022.

"National Blood Donor Month serves as a time to thank and honor our dedicated donors for their generous donations that help save lives and help raise awareness of the need for blood donations," said Walter." "The support our donors provide the ASBP helps us replenish and maintain blood supplies, ultimately saving lives."

According to the Health.mil website, more than 4.5 million people will need a blood transfusion this year.

WRNMMC is committed to honoring the dedicated blood donors and raising awareness to help make this life-saving resource available through blood donations.

According to ASBP website, some of the standard requirements to be eligible to donate are as follows:
Must be 17 years of age or older. [some locations take 18 and up only]
Must weigh 116 lbs or more. [depending on donation type, may take 110 lbs]
Must be feeling well for at least three days before donation.
No major dental work in prior three days/cleaning or fillings for 24 hours.
Be well hydrated/have eaten something prior.

For more information on WRNMMC Blood services, visit: walterreed.tricare.mil/Health-Services/Hospital-Care-Surgery/Blood-Services

Find out how you can donate blood: https://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/beABloodDonor.html?n=be-a-donor#be-a-donor

For more information on Armed Services Blood Program visit: https://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/