Stripes: Landstuhl blood drive tries to fill emptying coffers

[lebkuchen]

For those who don't know, Landstuhl is the US Army hospital in Germany. It receives the casualties from Iraq etc.

http://estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=17045

Emergency blood drives usually bring in many donors, however, it’s the regular donations that will keep the supply from falling dangerously short.

One such example occurred a month ago when an injured soldier coming from Iraq required so much blood that his need alone drastically decreased the donor center’s supply.

“We’ve been getting quite a few who have lost their limbs and really need blood,” Colon said.

The soldier received a total of 142 blood components, which includes red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

[roguevalley]

1. This is horrendous.

My sister lost a leg. I can tell you that the amputation
cases are going to swallow us all. Expect prosthetics to
be the next big stock on the Dow.

It costs BILLIONS to get a good prosthetic. I can hardly
imagine what these kids will do to get good care with all
the cuts. Its horrendous what pain and suffering an
amputation causes. I know from personal experience. Pray
for these kids.

[Paschall]

2. lebkuchen, do you know...

...Are these blood drives only done on base or are they open to the European (German) public?

[lebkuchen]

3. I don't know.

Due to the scare of mad cow, the military is probably hoping to fulfill its blood needs in-house, though I have not been approached personally at work for a donation...it's just been through Stripes of late, or on AFN TV infomercials, that I've even heard of a greater demand for blood, due to all the casualties that the media has been very neglect about reporting on. When the media mentions "injured," it leaves the reader with the impression that the soldier was nicked on the shoulder. As the writer above you on this thread has stated from personal experience, "injured" can be a life-altering, traumatic and expensive ordeal.

You might e-mail the writer of the piece. They are generally good about getting back to readers who have questions.

[beanball]

4. Blood

money for bush and his buddies,no blood for the troops,but they sure love to say "We support the Troops" lying greedy bastards.