Baltimore Ravens Help Raise Awareness for Fort Meade Blood Drive

Baltimore Ravens Terrance Cody, Arthur Jones and Tandon Doss attended a blood drive at Fort Meade’s Bowling Center on Tuesday to raise awareness about the blood donation needs for service members and their families. 

When the Armed Services Blood Program doesn’t have blood on hand, they must turn to organizations like the Red Cross who charge approximately $400.00 for one pint of blood. So raising as much blood as possible saves money and lives.

“I give as often as I can, about every two months” said  Deputy Director of Transportation at Fort Meade, Bill Wittman. “I used to give to the Red Cross, but now I give here.”  

Wittman has served as active duty for 10 years and still serves in the National Guard. “A lot of people I know are going overseas on a regular basis so anything I can do to help out. I know it goes to a worthy cause.”

With close to 50 percent of military service members unable to give blood due to strict stipulations, the Armed Services Blood Program depends on civilians to help out. Having the Ravens offer their moral support as well to draw civilians onto base was a major goal.

“It’s a beautiful thing. What we do is a game, football is just a game, and what the military does for us is remarkable” said Arthur Jones, a second year defensive player with the Ravens.  “Anything we can do to help out is huge.”  

Lt. Colonel and Casualty Officer Brian Woolshleger, said approximately 60 people signed up to give blood, which equates to about $24,000 saved and was hopeful for 100 donators by the end of the drive.

Blood has a 42-day shelf life and the military can get it anywhere in the world within a week, said Woolshleger.

“I guarantee you, of all of the blood we collect, none of it is disposed of because it went beyond its date,” said Woolshleger. “Whether it is Bethesda (National Naval Medical Center), Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, the blood is being used.”

Woolshleger has a self-proclaimed ‘passion for blood’ which stems from one of his tougher job responsibilities.

“There is no more demanding job than to knock on someone’s door and tell them ‘I’m sorry to inform you, but your child has passed away,'” said Woolshleger. “If we can keep somebody alive [with donated blood] maybe that’s one less family I have to knock on their door and tell them their child has died. I’m honored and privileged that I myself give blood and that I can help others give.”

And of course the attitude of a young soldier, like 20-year-old William McDonald, who was donating for the first time, was vastly different.

“It’s better than cleaning weapons,” said McDonald, who took advantage of the 1-hour process that involved an interview, paperwork, pre-screening and then the actual blood draw and waiting period.

The next blood drive is on Wed, November 30 at Fort Meade’s McGill Center from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.