Washington, DC -
Blood collected from a drive hosted by Houston-area Rep. Gene Green (D-Texas) on April 28 will support American troops around the world, including those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Giving blood is one of the most direct ways you can support a soldier,” U.S. Army Sgt. Tiffany Anderson of the Armed Services Blood Program said. “It’s the biggest thing you can do in support, and one donation can help multiple people.”
The United States military has raised blood collection quotas in response to increasing need, due in part to casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Green said he will be among those giving blood. “Supporting our troops is an easy decision because almost everyone knows someone in their neighborhood who is serving our country,” he said. “No matter how you feel about the way the wars have been managed, this blood drive is personal.”
The drive will be accompanied by a public forum for veterans, who will be invited to express their opinions and ask questions about legislation, veterans’ services, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Federal veterans’ officials will be available to answer questions about health care, retirement and disability pensions, education, survivor benefits and medals.
“Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan might find this forum especially useful because a lot of the information will be new to them,” Green said. “Of course, my office is dedicated to helping veterans from every generation solve their government-related issues.”
The entire donation process from sign-in to refreshments will take about 35 minutes. Blood donors must be at least 18 years old and have an identification card that shows their birth date, but there is no upper age limit. Active-duty members of the military may donate if they are at least 17 and have their military identification. For your safety, you will not be allowed to give blood if you have donated whole blood within 56 days or platelets within 72 hours.
What: Veterans’ forum and blood drive
Where: Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center
6402 Market Street
Houston, Texas 77020
When: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 28