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CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – A needle and tubing is taped down Jan. 11 at the Single Marine Program blood drive aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The blood drive was to get units of blood for Cobra Gold. The SMP blood drive had a goal of 20 units and completed it with 30 units of blood collected. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Kelcey Seymour)

Photo by Pfc. Kelcey Seymour

SMP host blood drive for Cobra Gold

12 Jan 2018 | Pfc. Kelcey Seymour The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

The Single Marine Program hosts the Armed Services Blood Program blood drive Jan.11 at the SMP building aboard Camp Foster.

The blood drive was hosted to collect pints of O- and O+ blood for Cobra Gold. 

“We supple all the operations that the military conducts in the Pacific along with military hospitals and ships that come to the Okinawa,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Oscar Valdueza, the lead petty officer and public affairs specialist for the Armed Services Blood Bank Center. “This blood drive is for Cobra Gold. We hope to get around 20 units of blood at the SMP blood drive.”

The SMP volunteers helped direct the many Marines by asking them to sign in and asking what their blood type was. The ASBP collected 30 units of blood during the SMP blood drive.

“Every time there is a blood drive I try to donate,” Pfc. Melvin Barnard, a defense clerk with Legal Services Support Section aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. “I started donating when I got to Okinawa because I figured it could help someone, so why not do it.”

All statues of forces agreement personnel 17-years-old and older who are eligible to be seen at the hospital can donate. Visit www.facebook.com/okinawablood for more information and to see the weekly schedule for donations or call the ASBBC at 646-9939 to make an appointment.


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