Page 12 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior March 3 2017

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High Desert Warrior March 3, 2017
www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin
American Red Cross hosts blood drive
Your Community
Story/Photo By Jo Garrison
Public affairs office
FORT IRWIN, Calif — Service to the Armed Forces Division (SAF) of the American Red Cross organized a Blood Drive, Feb. 10. Eighty- seven Soldiers, family member, and civilian employees came out to donate blood.
“Every 2 seconds someone needs blood in the united states,” stated Robert Bahler, Account Manager for American Red Cross, Biomedical Services who further explained, “the American Red Cross is responsible for 40 percent of the nation’s blood supply and here in Southern Cali- fornia we collect about 800 to 1,000 donations of blood every day.”
The simple act of donating blood, typically an hour process, can save up to three lives. The donation pro- cess starts with a registration form, proof of identification, and a private
and confidential interview about your health history and the places you have traveled. After conducting a check of your temperature, hemo- globin, blood pressure and pulse the donation process itself only takes eight to 10 minutes. Once the donor has been dressed, with a notable red bandage, refreshments are awaiting to allow the body time to adjust to the slight decrease in fluid volume.
The blood will be delivered to a Red Cross blood component labora- tory where it is processed into several components. Donated red blood cells do not last forever. They have a shelf life of up to 42 days. A healthy donor may donate every 56 days giving the body time replenish itself fully. SAF conducts a blood drive every six months on Fort Irwin. To find out more information about do- nating contact your local Red Cross or visit http://www.redcrossblood. org/donating-blood.
An Airman with his service dog donate blood at American Red Cross Blood Drive conducted by the Service to the Armed Forces Division, here, Feb. 10.
Garrison Exceptional Member (GEM) by Jo Garrison
Public affairs office
FORT IRWIN, Calif — Hidden in a community of over 20,000 people is a rare individual who donates her time to the community in more ways than others. Loretta Sponsler, local author of Goodnight Campsite, spends her days devoted to not only her family but to all the children, here.
Sponsler is devoted to promoting reading throughout the community. During the summer, she did a “camping- themed” story-time at the post library, complete with camping books and children’s craft. During the winter holidays, she held story-time at the Post Exchange, in conjunction with their Handmade for the Holidays event.
She recently participated in Read Across America Week, reading her book to students at Tiefort View In- termediate School and Lewis Elementary School. When asked what are the most common questions asked about being an author from the children, Sponsler stated, “the kids were full of questions about what inspired me, how long it took to write and publish the book, and whether I was writing more.” She then joked that, “the kids seemed a bit disappointed that I had not made a million dollars, but I explained that some authors are best sellers and make good money being a writer. I’m still working on it.”
In June of 2016, Sponsler’ book “Goodnight, Campsite” won first place in the Outdoor Recreation category of the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, which recognizes excellence in children’s literature. You can find “Goodnight, Campsite” at the Fort Irwin Public Library, Amazon.com, CreateSpace.com, Kindle, and other retail outlets.
Loretta Sponsler, author of “Goodnight, Campsite,” reads her book at Fort Irwin Public Library.
For more information go to www.irwin.army.mil