84th Engineer Battalion isn’t daunted when it comes to giving blood |
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Story and Photos by 2nd Lt. Laura Beth Beebe, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Eng. Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Soldiers and family members from the 84th Engineer Battalion, known as the “Never Daunted” battalion, lived up to the name when it came to supporting Tripler Army Medical Center’s Armed Services Blood Program. The battalion, part of the 130th Eng. Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, donated 160 pints of blood collected during a blood drive March 21 - 22. Every week, the Tripler ASBP holds drives to meet the demand of 150 pints of blood. Each drive provides necessary blood that is shipped to areas, such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The Never Daunted battalion showed their support by donating almost 34 gallons of blood during the two-day drive. In the event that Tripler can’t reach the demand of 150 pints, the military is forced to purchase blood from outside agencies. Last week’s drive allowed for the storage to reach its capacity for the week. Spc. Elisa Scotton, a water treatment specialist for the Forward Support Company, 84th Eng. Bn., said the battalion has consistently provided blood donations to the ASBP. “I like that we have (a blood drive)g every few months,” she said.“It allows us to build up supply and makes giving easier when they can come to where we work.” Individuals can give up to approximately 1.5 pints of blood every eight weeks. Blood can only be stored for 30 days, and so it is necessary to get large amounts of blood continuously to keep the supply fresh. “The 84th Engineer Battalion is a huge donator,” said 1st Lt. Mark Preston, officer in charge of the Tripler blood donation program. “(The battalion) was the second top unit donator on the island last year.” He said the 3rd Marine Regiment led the list of all Hawaii-based military donators last year. Contributing to the blood donation program is an individual choice that goes beyond unit pride for some like Pvt. David Delapaz, who has given blood before his recent assignment to the battalion. This was his first battalion blood drive. “Giving blood is just a way to help out my fellow man,” said Delapaz, a petroleum laboratory specialist with the Forward Support Company. “Anything I can do to help out, I am there.” If you are interested in donating blood, future blood drives dates are: The Blood Donor Center welcomes all blood types, but there is a special need for O-negative donors. Call 433-6148 or stop by to donate at Room 2A207, 2nd Floor, Oceanside, TAMC. |
