Deactivation Doesn't Stop Donations

09/25/2012
By Catherine Tharpe, ASBP Blood Donor Recruiter, Fort Hood, Texas

Spc. Edwin Colon curiously watches as his blood flows down and into the bag on the Genesis scale, while Mrs. Gida Castro, phlebotomist at the Robertson Blood Center, monitors the donation process.

A unit deactivation is a decision made by the U.S. Army when a specialty unit, such as the 263rd Maintenance Company, is no longer needed as a unit. Instead, many of the unit’s members will get reassigned across Fort Hood and the Army to perform and oversee unit-level maintenance. As part of a deactivation, there are many tasks that need to be accomplished in a short period of time prior to deactivating. Despite the daunting list of tasks, members of the 263rd Management Company still managed to find time to save lives!

1st Lt. Andrew Dodd reached out to an emergency call for blood donations in May, and the 263rd Maintenance Company came in two days later to help fill the need with no questions asked. It was his first time donating to the Armed Services Blood Program, but as a former enlisted combat medic, he is no stranger to the importance of blood donations. After his initial donation, he scheduled the next blood drive 58 days later, fitting in one last unit blood drive before the casing of the colors ceremony.

“Donating blood fosters a team aspect,” said Dodd. “We donate a lot of blood to service members we do not know but they are still a part of the team. It’s a little bit of time from us, but a big deal for the recipient.”

1st Sgt. James Yuras, echoes that same military camaraderie spirit by relating donating blood to a part of the Soldier’s Creed.

“It is important for all soldiers to donate blood here at Fort Hood because we all have deployed to Afghanistan at least once,” said Yuras. “We say we will never leave a fallen comrade. Here at home, by donating blood, we make sure that we never do.”

Capt. E. Shane Phillips, commander of the 263rd Maintenance Company, is a strong proponent for his unit to outreach and be a part of the community. “I impress upon my soldiers that they are not on an island. They should be a part of the community and support programs like the Armed Services Blood Program.”

Due to Phillips’ command support and many eager donors, the 263rd Maintenance Company helped the 180th Transportation Battalion win the 3rd Quarter Hood Heroes Medium Unit Award, an award given to those who make an impact at Fort Hood.

Although the Robertson Blood Center is sad to see such an inspiring unit get deactivated and its members move on to other assignments, staff members are glad that the many soldiers of the 263rd know and support the mission of the Armed Services Blood Program.

Dodd is staying at Fort Hood, and he promises to bring his new unit in to donate, starting another tradition of constant and dedicated blood donors.

To find out more about the Armed Services Blood Program or to make an appointment please visit us online at: www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with some of our staff, see more photos or to get the latest news, visit us here: www.facebook.com/militaryblood, www.flickr.com/militaryblood and www.twitter.com/militaryblood.