Donating blood is a gift that can have an immediate impact on whether someone lives or dies. For service members at Naval Station Great Lakes, those donations during the past year were celebrated during a luncheon hosted by LifeSource, Nov. 18.

In total, the blood donated by local commands helped save more than 13,000 lives in the Chicagoland area. Leading the donations were Training Support Center (TSC), Center for Surface Combat Systems Unit (CSCSU) and Surface Warfare Officers School Unit (SWOSU).

Service members who organized blood drives and encouraged their fellow Sailors, Marines, Soldiers or Airmen were presented with awards during the luncheon.

"This isn't just about me, it's about everybody," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 1st Class (SW) Brian Yousef, a Gas Turbine 'C' School instructor with SWOSU. "It's an achievement for everybody."

Yousef was named one of four chairpersons of the year during the ceremony for helping SWOSU earn the Meritorious Achievement Award from LifeSource.

"You're serving your country, but you always want to serve your community," he said. "A lot of times serving the immediate community can have a bigger impact."

The Department of Defense was the top donor to the LifeSource blood program. The amount of blood donated by service members accounted for more than 15 percent of the total amount donated to LifeSource.

"The DoD has been a great partner over the years to help us get that blood to local patients," said Thelma Sardin, a marketing specialist with LifeSource. "It is a great partnership and we look forward to more great things in the future."
In addition to individual honors, commands with the largest amount donated were presented awards.
Taking home the Admiral's Cup for the most blood donated was TSC. The highest participation award, the Mission First trophy, was presented to Apprentice Technical Training, CSCSU. The Eagle Award for exemplary participation was presented to CSCSU. SWOSU, as mentioned above, earned the Meritorious Achievement Award.
The luncheon was punctuated by guest speaker Gwendolyn Westlund who spoke about how she is alive today because of blood and organ donation. While undergoing multiple surgeries, it was donated blood that kept her alive while doctors replaced her heart.
"I am living proof that you guys made a difference," she said. "So I thank you from the bottom of my brand new heart."

For more news from Training Support Center, Great Lakes, visit www.navy.mil/.