Five units earn 100-Donor Club membership in 35-day span at Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Five Fort Leonard Wood training companies collectively saw more than 600 of their Soldiers in training volunteer to give blood with the Armed Services Blood Program between Sept. 10 and Oct. 15, each earning membership in the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center’s 100-Donor Club.

The 100-Donor Club is reserved for organizations that provide 100 or more eligible donors during a single-day blood drive. There are currently 12 members.

The center’s 100-Donor Club members have their unit name, the total number of donors from the unit and the drive’s date recorded on a plaque hanging in the donor center lobby. They also receive a “Giving 4 Living” streamer, provided by the Association of the United States Army.

The ASBP is the official blood program of the U.S. military, tasked with providing quality blood products to military health care operations worldwide. The program relies on volunteer donors to ensure a steady supply of blood is always available for those in need.

Each of the five training companies conducted single-day drives in a five-week span, averaging around 120 eligible volunteers per drive. These drives produced enough blood and blood products that could supply every Soldier serving in three average-size U.S. Army companies. They also saved government dollars by not having to purchase these blood products from civilian agencies.

The newest 100-Donor Club members include:

• Company C, 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, on Sept. 10;
• Company C, 787th Military Police Battalion, on Sept. 11, marking the company’s second listing in the 100-Donor Club;
• Company B, 787th MP Bn., on Sept. 17, earning them a third listing in the 100-Donor Club;
• Company D, 2nd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, on Oct. 8; and
• Company B, 2-10 Inf. Reg., on Oct. 15.

“We can’t say thank you enough to these Soldiers,” said Paul Newman, Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center technical supervisor. “Their compassion is saving lives around the world.”

The donor center here has conducted several blood drives in 2023, each averaging about three dozen volunteer donors. These five company’s drives average nearly tripled that mark, something Newman said he finds extremely encouraging.

“As a retired Army NCO, it makes me proud to see young men and women stand up for a cause that’s bigger than themselves,” he said. “Without them, we couldn’t accomplish our mission. Because of their generosity, many people have a better chance to win their battle with illness and injury.”

Earning the 100-donor milestone demonstrates the Army Values, said 1st Sgt. Michael Bizarro, with Delta Company, 2-10 Inf. Reg.

“Our Soldiers donating at this level proves they understand the Army Values,” Bizarro said. “Their showing selfless service and coming together for a greater good is remarkable to see. Units waiting for the perfect time to donate blood is not the answer — you have to create the time.”

1st Sgt. Craig Williams, Charlie Company, 1-48 Inf. Reg., echoed Bizarro’s sentiments.

“Donating blood embodies the Army Values and allows Soldiers to give back to the community,” he said. “There’s always time to save a life.”

The Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center collects blood for the ASBP. The military health care system requires hundreds of units of blood every day, and it’s the ASBP mission to ensure its ready wherever and whenever needed.

“If you have your health, celebrate it by giving blood to those who are not as fortunate,” Newman said. “Our five new 100-Donor Club members demonstrated the power that true compassion for others can have. Will you do the same?”

For more information about the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center and its 100-Donor Club, or to make an appointment to donate, e-mail [email protected] or call 573.596.6150.