Col Debra Bean (far left) and MAJ Robert Gates, Chief of Blood Services for the Southeast Region, pose with the awardees. Thirty-nine donors at the base who reached one or more gallons donating with the ASBP were recognized.
For decades, Team Robins have been faithful blood donors in service of the local community. In 2005, many of the base’s long-time blood donors added to their proud history of donating and began rolling up their sleeves in support of an additional mission: taking care of our troops by giving blood to the Armed Services Blood Program.
On May 6th, members of the Armed Services Blood Program from Fort Gordon traveled to Robins for their first ever Blood Donor Appreciation Ceremony at the base. There were 39 donors who have reached one gallon or more with the ASBP, and many who were at the two gallon level, although most of these gallon donor heroes are not new to giving blood. Most had donated many times before the ASBP started collecting here in 2005.
At the ceremony, Army Major Robert Gates spoke briefly to those assembled about the destination of the many pints of blood they had donated. He experienced the immediacy of the need for blood to care for injured troops as the first blood banker on the ground in Iraq in 2003. “The process of saving lives, and getting the blood to our troops that need it, starts with you, our donors!” he said. “Our military medical personnel are doing amazing things over there, but they can’t operate without your gift.” Currently the Chief of Blood Services for the Southeast Region, he oversees the collection and shipment of blood into theater from Fort Gordon’s blood center.
Certificates of Achievement signed by the Commander of Eisenhower Army Medical Center and the Southeast Regional Medical Command located at Fort Gordon, Brigadier General Donald Bradshaw, were awarded to the 39 donors, after which Colonel Debra Bean gave closing remarks thanking them for their generous and faithful donations.
“You truly exemplify the concept of a Wingman,” Colonel Bean told them. “Rolling up your sleeve to help a service member in need, that you don’t even know, is an important and selfless act.”