Help save a life by donating blood

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joshua Smoot
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Since 1970, January has been known as National Blood Donor Month. It's a time when organizations like the American Red Cross honor the nearly 11 million people who donate blood each year and encourage others to start the new year off right by donating the gift of life.

Unfortunately, due to the harsh winter weather in Montana, donations are down 15 percent overall in January from what the American Red Cross needs to maintain a sufficient supply of blood and platelets for patients in need.

"It really is vital that everyone who is able to donate blood does so even during these tough winter months," said 1st Lt. Alyssa Conti, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron officer in charge of missile maintenance team and January's blood drive point of contact.

According to the American Red Cross of Montana, in order to be an eligible donor you should be in good health and feeling well, be at least 17 years of age and weigh at least 110 pounds. These qualifications make Airmen from Malmstrom Air Force Base a large portion of the local Great Falls community.

Donating blood is a safe and simple process that takes less than half an hour. After initial eligibility questioning - a brief medical history and wellness check, including blood pressure and temperature - it usually takes about 10 minutes to collect a pint of blood. While donors of any and all blood types are needed, those with negative O, A or B blood types are highly encouraged to donate.

If interested in donating blood, it is recommended to hydrate, wear something comfortable, bring a list of medications you are taking and bring an ID or donor card.

Malmstrom donated 32 pints of blood during the January blood drive and 429 pints of blood in 2014.

The blood drives are every month and the next one is scheduled for Feb. 23 at the chapel annex.

"We are always in need of volunteers to work the blood drives as well," Conti said. "So even if someone is ineligible to donate their blood, they can always donate their time, and that helps out just as much."

For more information from the American Red Cross visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/lewisclark, visit them at 1300 28th St. S in Great Falls or call 1-800-733-2767.