Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) hosted the Armed Services Blood Bank Center (ASBBC) Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Blood Donor Center, Oct. 13.

The ASBBC is part of Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and travels to military bases in the Hampton Roads area.

Offering a front-line supply of blood to military members in need, the ASBBC program relies on Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, and Airmen to take care of their own service members through blood donation and collection efforts.

"All 30 units of blood that was donated will all be screened to identify individuals that will be members of the walking blood bank on board the ship," said Lt. Matthew D. Forbes.

The walking blood bank allows the ship to have enough blood ready in the event of a mass casualty, which is vital due to Bataan's upcoming deployment early next year.

"I give blood regularly to support the troops and to help people make it alive," said Seaman Philip Hacker, from Houston.

The donation process starts with Sailors filling out personal information forms and medical history to ensure they are eligible to donate. Factors such as low red blood cell count, travel in known malaria areas, and certain prescription medications disqualify service members.

Vitals are then taken to make sure the member is healthy enough to donate, and finally comes the donating.

"Every unit of blood donated will provide two units down range or to hospital patients," said Forbes.

Blood can be separated into three parts -- plasma, platelets, and red blood cells, which makes it possible for a pint of blood to save up to three different lives.

Platelets shelf life is only five days, so the need for platelet donations is a vast and continuous, uphill battle.

"Everybody has to do their part to keep blood stocked," said Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Smiling, from Los Angles. "I try to give blood every six months."

The ASBBC was formed more than 50 years ago to provide blood for the military during peacetime and war. The program works to collect, process, distribute and transfuse blood worldwide.

Bataan is currently conducting maintenance and training for her upcoming deployment.

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For more news from USS Bataan (LHD 5), visit http://www.navy.mil/.