A JOINT STATEMENT BY CIVILIAN AND MILITARY BLOOD PROGRAMS
Issued by AABB, America’s Blood Centers,
American Red Cross and The Armed Services Blood Program
October 16, 2007
The blood needs of America’s fighting forces are met by the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP), whose practices are designed to maintain self-sufficiency in blood collection and blood product manufacturing for the purpose of operational security.
On October 9, 2007, a Department of Defense (DoD) Policy was signed, allowing civilians to donate blood on military installations and at federal sites during a state of war or catastrophic event. Blood donations collected by civilian agencies are provided to the ASBP upon request and as needed, to supply specific blood products. In light of the fact that ASBP is essentially self-sufficient, that need is infrequent.
The blood programs that serve this nation work together to ensure that both the civilian and military populations have immediate access to an adequate blood supply. This can only be accomplished through the generosity of volunteer blood donors.