Sailors from Training Support Center San Diego and the Armed Services Blood Program held a blood drive aboard Naval Base San Diego, May 4.

"No one knows better than a service member the kinds of sacrifices military members make for each other," said Doreen Rekoski, Naval Medical Center San Diego ABSP recruiter for the San Diego area. "What better way to honor your fellow brother or sister in combat than by donating blood in the event it is needed for them or their families?"

ABSP provides blood products for service members, veterans, and their families in both peace and war. As a joint operation among the military services, the ABSP has many components working together to collect, process, distribute and transfuse blood worldwide.

"One donation can save up to three lives," said Chief Operations Specialist Maria Lewis, TSC San Diego blood drive coordinator. "There is no substitute for human blood."

TSC San Diego donated a total of 39 pints of blood which could help save the lives of 117 people. NMCSD alone uses over 600 blood components a month. Helping maintain a steady supply of blood is important because blood components have a shelf life. Blood platelets only last five to seven days and red blood cells only last 42 days or 35 days in the theater of operation.

"This was a great opportunity for members of the TSC San Diego team to give back to the community in a way that has immediate impact on the lives of others," said Capt. John D. Wilshusen, TSC San Diego commanding officer. "We've hosted a number of these events, and it is always humbling to see the number of Sailors and civilian staff that volunteer to donate."

For information about TSC San Diego visit http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/tscsd/ or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Training-Support-Center-San-Diego-129026990490159/

For more information about Naval Education and Training Command, visit
http://www.netc.navy.mil or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/NavalEducationAndTrainingCommand.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit http://www.navy.mil/.