thedrifter
02-23-07, 07:50 AM
Feb. 22, 2007, 11:00PM
Blood donors can send a life-saving gift to troops
By RICHARD STEWART
Houston Chronicle
ANGLETON — Americans have a tradition of sending packages filled with cookies and other goodies to troops serving in war zones. Folks who want to do more will have their chance in Angleton today and Saturday.
They can send blood.
A group called Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County is hosting a special blood drive by the Army's largest blood center, with 95 percent of the blood collected going to military medical facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq, said Susie Patterson, who is running the drive for the group.
The traditional cookies and a wide variety of other helpful items and snacks — ranging from powdered drink mix to pet flea collars — also will be collected to send to the troops.
And while donors are waiting to give blood, they can shake the hands of Marines recently returned from overseas.
Medical personnel from Fort Hood's Robertson Blood Center will collect blood from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Angleton's National Guard Armory.
Personnel will screen each prospective donor before taking blood. Donors must be at least 18 and must meet certain medical criteria.
The Robertson center is the largest blood-collection facility for the U.S. Army. It is named for Dr. Oswald Robertson who pioneered blood banks during World War I. It collects an average of 5,400 units of blood products a month.
"They have a great need for blood over there," said Patterson, the mother of a Marine who served in Iraq.
Troops are often asked to give blood for their wounded comrades.
Military Moms and Wives also is collecting snacks and personal items to send to troops — something the 150-member group does several times a year. The last shipment sent 733 boxes of donations to war zones.
richard.stewart@chron.com
BLOOD DRIVE FACTS
Angleton's National Guard Armory is on County Road 428 behind the Brazoria County Fairgrounds. The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday.
• Items requested by troops include:
Batteries
Disposable cameras
AT&T Phone Cards (international)
Writing materials
Playing cards
Magazines (sports, hunting, fishing, etc.)
Safety pins (small packets)
Tooth care products
Soap and shampoo
Individual snacks
•For more information on eligibility, see www.hood-meddac.army.mil/
Source: militarymomsandwives.org
Ellie
Blood donors can send a life-saving gift to troops
By RICHARD STEWART
Houston Chronicle
ANGLETON — Americans have a tradition of sending packages filled with cookies and other goodies to troops serving in war zones. Folks who want to do more will have their chance in Angleton today and Saturday.
They can send blood.
A group called Military Moms and Wives of Brazoria County is hosting a special blood drive by the Army's largest blood center, with 95 percent of the blood collected going to military medical facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq, said Susie Patterson, who is running the drive for the group.
The traditional cookies and a wide variety of other helpful items and snacks — ranging from powdered drink mix to pet flea collars — also will be collected to send to the troops.
And while donors are waiting to give blood, they can shake the hands of Marines recently returned from overseas.
Medical personnel from Fort Hood's Robertson Blood Center will collect blood from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Angleton's National Guard Armory.
Personnel will screen each prospective donor before taking blood. Donors must be at least 18 and must meet certain medical criteria.
The Robertson center is the largest blood-collection facility for the U.S. Army. It is named for Dr. Oswald Robertson who pioneered blood banks during World War I. It collects an average of 5,400 units of blood products a month.
"They have a great need for blood over there," said Patterson, the mother of a Marine who served in Iraq.
Troops are often asked to give blood for their wounded comrades.
Military Moms and Wives also is collecting snacks and personal items to send to troops — something the 150-member group does several times a year. The last shipment sent 733 boxes of donations to war zones.
richard.stewart@chron.com
BLOOD DRIVE FACTS
Angleton's National Guard Armory is on County Road 428 behind the Brazoria County Fairgrounds. The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Saturday.
• Items requested by troops include:
Batteries
Disposable cameras
AT&T Phone Cards (international)
Writing materials
Playing cards
Magazines (sports, hunting, fishing, etc.)
Safety pins (small packets)
Tooth care products
Soap and shampoo
Individual snacks
•For more information on eligibility, see www.hood-meddac.army.mil/
Source: militarymomsandwives.org
Ellie