Malmstrom hosts 1st Strike Blood Drive Challenge

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Katrina Heikkinen
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  In an effort to encourage Malmstrom Air Force Base members to donate blood, a challenge amongst the five groups, as well as Wing Staff Agencies and the 819th RED HORSE Squadron, has been laid down to see which group can donate the most blood.

Spearheaded by Lori Muzzanna, 341st Missile Wing community support coordinator; Amia Watson, 341st Medical Operations Squadron outreach manager; and 2nd Lt. Charles Frazier, 341st Missile Maintenance Squadron electro-mechanical team officer in charge, and sponsored by the first sergeants' council, the idea was suggested after blood donations from Malmstrom plummeted.

"I went to a meeting with the American Red Cross and they had some concerns because Malmstrom donors went down to 30 to 40 percent, which is a large drop off compared to what we've done in the past," Muzzana said. "Then Amia suggested that there's nothing military [members] love more than a competition."

The first blood drive in the competition was Oct. 29 and the second blood drive is scheduled for Nov. 26 at the Grizzly Bend from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Following the second drive, the winning group will be announced and will take home the 1st Strike Blood Challenge trophy.

"The purpose of this competition is to first, encourage more of Team Malmstrom to donate blood as well as create a friendly competition between the groups," Frazier said. "As members of the U.S. Air Force, we are dedicated to service before self. Donating blood helps those in need throughout our community, as well as our brothers and sisters in harm's way."

According to the American Red Cross website, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. The Red Cross continues to provide 40 percent of the nation's blood supply.

"This is something I can do - as well as Team Malmstrom - to help our community and others," Frazier said. "We are continuously in need of donors and hope to have the number increase with every blood drive."

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the American Red Cross at 727-2212 or visit redcrossblood.org, sponsor code: airforce. Walk-ins are welcome as well. Malmstrom conducts blood drives every month.

For more information regarding the competition, call Frazier at 731-4529.