In a well-traveled minivan labeled “Donating Across America”, Kansas couple Jim and Linda Parker brought their special brand of heroism to Fort Gordon on July 17th. The two embarked on a nationwide project this summer—to give blood at all twenty Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) donor centers in the United States.
This big- hearted quest began as the couple was finishing up a similar project (to donate in all 50 states) at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. There they learned about the ASBP, and that the blood they were donating would go directly to service members and their families. Linda’s son, Sgt. Charlie Maib, is a broadcast journalist in the Army, and supporting the military family suddenly took on another facet for the Parkers, whose longtime enthusiasm for blood donation had already inspired many across the nation.
“It’s not just about donating ourselves,” said Linda of their purpose for the project. “We want to bring awareness to the importance of giving. We want young people, new donors, to come forward and make giving blood part of their lives.”
The couple is undoubtedly positioned to influence young people to do just that. Jim, a high school principal and Linda, a sixth grade teacher, keep their followers updated on their travels. Linda says her students can follow their progress on Facebook and Twitter, and during the school year she shares with them stories about blood donation, among other health-related topics.
The couple arrived at Fort Gordon a week after having donated at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, where they were excited to see several young Airmen donating platelets that same day. Fort Gordon was the fifth stop on their life-saving summer tour, and not the last stop, either. Their plan, explained Jim, was to take a day or so to visit Savannah and surrounding places before next week’s scheduled donation at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. Then, as school gets underway again, they will take a break from the tour and resume their quest at Fort Bragg, NC, in December.
The Fort Gordon staff welcomed the two with a basket full of “local flavor”: some locally grown peaches and pecans, and some Masters memorabilia from Augusta National Golf Course. The couple was also visited by the platelet mascot, Sgt. Platelet. On their visit, Jim and Linda donated platelets, which are the component of blood needed to control bleeding and are vital to patients undergoing cancer treatments, surgeries, and burns. Platelets are collected through a special procedure called apheresis, in which blood is drawn and processed through a machine, then returned to the donor though the same arm. Platelet donors are always in demand, and appointments are available daily at Fort Gordon by calling 707-787-1473.
As the Parkers continue their journey to donate blood at all ASBP blood donor centers throughout the coming months we will follow their progress and post pictures and stories on our Web site and on Facebook and Twitter. For more information, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil.