Regimental NCO Academy sets blood donations record

Courtesy photo Sgt. Brian Cirignano, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C., (right) donates blood under the care of Vivian Fields, phlebotomist. For many, completing training at the Regimental Noncommissioned Officer Academy involves a healthy dose of competition. On May 21, however, almost 100 members of both the advanced and basic courses came together for a common goal: donating blood to their fellow service members, and, in the process, broke the Academy's blood drive record with 65 pints of blood.

Community service is a cornerstone of the Academy experience, and donating blood through the Armed Services Blood Program is an opportunity for NCOs to support their counterparts who are deployed. Blood donated to the ASBP is sent weekly into theater, where the majority of the Academy's Soldiers have served prior to being in school there.

The fact that most are returning from deployment presents a major challenge, as those who have been to Iraq or Afghanistan are not eligible to give blood for one year. In addition, many of the Academy's students cannot donate because of time spent in Europe between 1980 and 1996.

Family members were also encouraged to participate. Katie Boswell donated as her husband, Staff Sgt. Justin Boswell and their daughter Lily cheered her on.

Katie said this drive was important to her. "Our Soldiers do so much for us, and this is a simple way to give back to those who need it most," she said.

"And it was easy. It was probably the most comfortable blood donation experience I've had!"

Sgt. Brian Cirignano, assigned to the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg, N.C., agreed that donating was an easy process.

He gives often because he has O negative blood and knows that it is the universal type, but said this drive took on special significance because of the mission of the ASBP.

"The main reason I wanted to donate was to help supply our own with blood," he said. "I might even need it someday, you never know!"

For more information about the ASBP, or to set up a blood drive call (706) 787- 3234 or visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil