Life givers: 38th CEIG donates 72 gallons of blood

Published Jan. 8, 2014
By Mike W. Ray
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It is said that every pint of whole blood can save the lives of as many as three Oklahomans. If so, the 38th Cyberspace Engineering Installation Group at Tinker AFB has saved the population of a small city in the past two years.

The 38th CEIG donated 581 pints of whole blood -- 72.6 gallons -- in the past 24 months, according to Cory Wilson, a 38th CEIG blood drive coordinator. That included 306 pints in 2012 and 275 pints in 2013; the number was lower last year because of the furloughs in October, said Aimee Richard, a 38th CEIG blood drive coordinator for the past 14 years.

The 38th schedules a blood drive approximately every two months, or six times a year, records reflect.

"We're committed to this program," said Col. Eric DeLange, commander of the 38th CEIG. "Over the past 28 years, many 38th CEIG civilian employees and Airmen and their family members have received blood products for various medical procedures, emergencies, etc., and we feel strongly about being there for those who will need blood in the future."

Bob Sandlin, 72nd Air Base Wing director of Staff, serves as the installation liaison to the Oklahoma Blood Institute and is the point-of-contact for other units interested in scheduling blood donation drives.