F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- The Mighty Ninety executed the most successful base blood drive in more than three years Oct. 14, 2022, on F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
The amount donated was nearly a 100% increase over the next most recent drive, and the highest amount donated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also the first drive conducted under new FDA rules opening opportunities for potential donors previously disbarred from donating blood.
“The blood drive in October brought in 25 donations for 30 separate blood products,” said Tori Robbins, Communications Manager for Vitalant. “The last time the base had a blood drive so successful was before the pandemic, in May 2019. We appreciate the increased support from F.E. Warren and are sure this is a sign of more donations in the future resulting in more lives saved.”
Vitalant conducted the collection at Fall Hall; however, base personnel are responsible for soliciting Airmen to volunteer for donation.
"We organize the drives by selecting a date and location, letting the troops know when and where to donate, then Vitalant will send a mobile blood donation unit and collection donations throughout the day," said 2nd Lt. Kory Westers, Base Blood Program Officer for F.E. Warren.
There is no set date for the next drive, but the current plan is to have a drive every quarter, with the next drive tentatively planned for January, according to Westers.