Naval Special Warfare Hosts Quarterly Blood Drive

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW) hosted a Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) blood donor drive Feb. 5 to support service members around the globe.

NSW donors answered the call for potentially lifesaving blood, as Sailors and civilians joined in the effort and contributed more than 30 pints that will benefit military members and their families around the world.

"We are a military blood donor center and our mission is to help the military," said Doreen Rekoski, NMCSD blood donor recruiter. "We do that in a few ways; our blood goes to military treatment facilities, deployed Navy ships and weekly troop shipments which sends blood out to military treatment facilities all over the world."

Military blood donations are limited due to federal restrictions stating that military collections must be performed on military installations. Although anyone can donate, they must have base access to participate.
"One donation can save three lives," said Rekoksi. "We have saved thousands upon thousands of lives both at home and in forward deployed areas over the years."

Lt. Donald Coomes has given blood several times in his life and advocates the importance of donating.
"I donate to support my fellow brethren," said Coomes. "We are often in harm's way and I try to help in any way I can."

"Donating blood saves lives," said Rekoski."There is no substitute for human blood and the lives of many combat troops have been saved due to a ready supply of available blood when injuries occur."

"Everyone should donate especially if you're in the military," said Personnel Specialist 3nd Class Mark Jay Tabada. "We all need to give back to each other and donating blood is a great way to do that."

For more information about NMRCS, visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil/.

For more news from Naval Special Warfare, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsw/.