United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), a satellite facility to Camp Lejeune, N.C., provides extensive support to the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP). Every 56 days, the ASBP Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Blood Donor Center runs an on-site blood drive supported by both staff and active duty from headquarters and the Raider Battalions. This commitment to frequent donation is a testament to how much continued support the ASBP gets from this single location.

At any blood drive, the Point of Contact (POC) can make or break donor participation. This person is responsible for publicizing information about the blood drive and drumming up support and volunteers for each event. Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Jacklyn Davis works in Health Services Support at MARSOC and serves as one of many blood drive POCs for the ASBP at Camp Lejeune.

When asked what motivates her to take on this role, Davis replied, “It’s a very easy way that I can assist to help ensure fellow service members, their families, retirees and veterans have that supply on hand when in critical need.”

Davis hasn’t seen the need for blood personally or professionally, but she has heard about numerous situations in which blood was critical in saving someone’s life. These lifesaving stories keep her motivated to continue to take on the role of POC for ASBP blood drives.

The Armed Services Blood Program is the official blood program of the U.S. military; tasked with a mission to provide quality blood products to military healthcare operations worldwide. The program relies on donations from individual volunteer donors to ensure that there is always a steady supply of blood available for those in need.

“I think the mission of the ASBP is important, it is an imperative program that supports the critical need of blood in military healthcare. Blood donation is one of the easiest and selfless ways to give back to others. We never know how close the need for blood may be, so when given the opportunity to donate, do it!” said Davis.

The dedication that Davis has demonstrated to the ASBP mission is remarkable and it is proven with each blood drive that she organizes. The Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Blood Donor Center and ASBP are lucky to have such support from Davis and others in the blood drive POC role, both leadership and blood donors aboard the installation benefit from their support.

About the Armed Services Blood Program

Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program is the official blood program of the United States military. Our mission is to provide quality blood products and support to military health care operations worldwide; from the battlefield to the local hospital, whenever and wherever needed. The ASBP collects, processes, stores, transports, and distributes blood products to service members, their families, retirees and veterans in peace and war. In an ASBP Enterprise view – Military Health Affairs, Defense Health Agency, Service Blood Programs and Combatant Commands – we operate under common goals, metrics, procedures, and work together to shape the future.

The ASBP is one of four organizations tasked with providing a safe blood supply to the nation. Our program also works closely with our civilian counterparts in times of need to maximize the availability of this national treasure.

To find out more about the ASBP or schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members or get the latest news, follow us @militaryblood on Facebook and Twitter, and @usmilitaryblood on Instagram.