Friday, Jan. 29, 2010

Various Voices: Do you donate blood?

SFC Perry Taylor

2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment

We have to do it first, then our Soldiers follow. I’ve never been injured to the point that I needed blood, but there are Soldiers in Iraq getting hurt. I think everybody should donate.

SFC Armando Gutierrez

2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment

I haven’t lately. I’ve only been back from Iraq three months. But I started donating when I was about 19 years old, and I usually do. I’ve never had any problems or been nervous about doing it.

SSG Mike Babuta

1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment

I’ve been a donor since I joined the Army, which is about five years. Before that, I didn’t know I could since I’m O positive, which is universal.

MSG(R) Billy C. Berry

NEC contractor

I do to save lives. I started in 1979 when I was in the military. We would go to the blood drive to get a day off, but I still go about once a year.

SSG Wanda Jones

104th Transportation Company

I don’t donate blood. I’ve tried before, but I have low blood myself. And I’ve deployed a lot, and you have to wait to be sure you’re safe to give blood.