Maj. Ivan Castro stopped by the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center recently to remind the phlebotomists and staff how important their jobs are when it comes to the lives they help save.

Castro was injured in Yusifiyah, Iraq, on Sept. 2, 2006. A mortar round landed near him, shattering numerous bones in his face, breaking his arm and causing his lungs to collapse. His right eye was destroyed and he had shrapnel in his left eye. When doctors at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, removed the fragments from his remaining eye, they discovered that Castro was blind and would never be able to see again. 

His blindness and the loss of his fellow Soldiers, Sgt. Ralph Porras and Pfc. Justin Dreese, were difficult for him to comprehend and bear. It wasn't until he overheard two of the medical staff talking about running in the Marine Corps Marathon that he realized his injuries didn't end his life, he just needed to change his life. That's when he decided to run the next Marine Corps Marathon, not knowing "if a blind guy would be able to do it or allowed to do it." He just knew that it needed to be done. 

Since running the Marine Corps Marathon in 2007, only 13 months after his injuries, Castro said he has run about 50 other marathons along with countless half marathons and other races. He's remained on active duty, climbed mountains and gone on a four-week expedition to the South Pole with Prince Harry. None of this, Castro said, would have ever been possible without the blood products he received when he was injured. 

"You don't see the value of what you do," said Castro to the Blood Donor Center staff. "I'm sure your jobs can seem tedious at times. You see different faces, but every day you're doing the same thing over and over. Well, I'm here to tell you that what you do is important. It's a blessing and a miracle to be standing here in front of you today."

Castro said that regrettably he never understood the importance of the Armed Services Blood Program until he was a beneficiary of it.

"When you're a Soldier and you see a sign for a blood drive, you think 'oh, that would be a nice thing to do,'" he said. "Then you get busy and start thinking about the other 100 things you have to do. 

You don't think you have to the time to give blood. I know because I was one of those folks when I was in the 82nd (Airborne Division) and when I was in Special Forces. I was one of those guys with something else to do."People don't realize how important it is to give blood. I didn't realize it until I found out that I had received blood," continued Castro. "One pint of donated blood can impact and help save three lives. When you think about their loved ones, the effect goes on far beyond just those three people."

Sgt. Luis Rivera, a medical lab noncommissioned officer at the Blood Donor Center, said that he and the other Soldiers really appreciated Castro coming over and reminding them how their mission really does help save lives.

 "It was proof of the importance of what we do," said Rivera. "It's always good when people come by and talk to us about their experiences. Even though we know what we do is important, it helps remind us that we really do make an impact.

"Castro said that the need for blood donors is something that will always exist. He said that the products collected at the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center help save lives across the world. 

"Let's just hope that those guys going out on a mission tonight don't need blood, but if they do, they will get it because of you," said Castro.