If you've ever donated blood before, you know that one unit of blood can potentially save three lives because red blood cells, platelets and plasma can be separated and used for different purposes. For these reasons, donations cannot be stored indefinitely, and since there is no substitution for human blood, donations are constantly needed.

Hence, in an effort to replenish and keep up with supply and demand, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Exchange, in partnership with the Armed Services Blood Bank Center (ASBBC), will host a military blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 25 in the facility training room of the main Exchange.

 "We only accept donations from military for military," said Victor Shermer, ASBCC's blood donor recruiter. "In other words, we draw from our own for our own. This means the pool of donors is small even though the demand remains constant."

Donations to the ASBBC, which is located in the Madigan Annex at JBLM Main, help deployed troops, Servicemembers and their families, retirees and Department of Defense (DoD) employees.

ASBBC is also unique because it is the first tri-service staffed strategic blood center. This means that staff consists entirely of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel - it's "Soldiers serving Soldiers," Shermer said.

Donations not only support military readiness and contingency operations worldwide - meaning troops deployed to Afghanistan, distribution and blood components - but also the needs of the Madigan Healthcare System, including cancer and surgical patients. Donations support the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bremerton, the Whidbey Island Naval Hospital in Oak Harbor and other DoD military medical facilities.

"At the Exchange, we want to be more than just a place to shop," said Quinton James, the learning facilitator and point of contact for the blood drive. "We want to provide for a wide variety of needs for our military families. We're always seeking opportunities to interact with and educate Servicemembers and their families, and this blood drive is simply a good idea and the right thing to do. Our mission is all about military families."

The process doesn't take long.

"Blood donation takes an average of 45 minutes with paperwork and screenings," Shermer said. "Be sure to have a good meal and stay hydrated before you donate. Also, to speed up the process, bring your immunization and travel history, and any prescription medication you're currently taking."

 Troops must be stateside for 12 months before donating, and if you've donated recently, you must wait 56 days before donating again.

"Also, if you received a tattoo in a non-regulated state, you have to wait 12 months before donating," Shermer added. 

For more information, call James at (253) 964-3161 exr. 111 or visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil/pnw.