Students attached to Training Support Center (TSC) Great Lakes took time out of the day to donate blood during a LifeSource Blood Services blood drive at the USS Farragut barracks, March 20.

The student lounge was transformed into a mini-donating site, welcoming students as they arrived from their respective "A" schools in the afternoon.

"I can remember my father donating every month when I was younger," said Capt. Mark A. Meskimen, TSC Great Lakes commanding officer. "He would get a call saying that it is time to donate. Today, we are making it easier and more accessible by holding blood drives around the base, within school houses and barracks. This provides an alternative for all our students and staff to getting that phone call and going down to one of the collection centers out in town to provide. You can do it all right here on base -- very convenient."

Chief Master-at-Arms Felicia Houston, TSC blood drive coordinator, ensures the blood drives are scheduled at different school houses/barracks on days in which maximum participation is possible.

"I work with the command and release the calendar of the Bachelor Enlisted Quarters participating in the drives," Houston said. "I coordinate directly with Carolina Salamanca at LifeSource. I think it's important to give blood because it saves lives. Many times people don't understand the affect giving blood has on others, and it makes me proud to inform them that they are making a difference."

Last year, the program collected 4,985 units of blood from TSC and various other commands at Naval Station Great Lakes, in which one of every four units went back to the fleet with the balance going to help benefit local communities. The donations benefited more than 14,955 patients.

"The interaction with my coordinators and blood donors on base has been amazing," said Salamanca. "Everyone is eager to help and selflessly donate blood with us when they are able to. I am blessed to have the partnership and friendships that we have developed throughout the years with Great Lakes Navy base."

Seaman Desmond Holmes was donating blood for the first time.

"I'm donating blood because I think helping others is a good thing to do," he said. "Also, what if I am in need of blood? Someone would have had to give blood to help me. I saw that they (LifeSource) were set up in the lounge area so [I] thought that this is a great opportunity to start donating blood."

LifeSource, a nonprofit organization, has worked with TSC and Naval Station Great Lakes for the past 16 years making the Navy the number one donation site in the region, holding numerous blood drives each month.

"To those who are donating, you are saving lives a pint at a time," Meskiman said. "One single pint can save three lives, and a single car accident victim can require as much as 100 pints. Thank you for all your efforts in this life-saving, worthwhile cause."

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