Saving lives one bag at a time

United Blood Services visited Minot Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2016 for a blood drive on a bus. United Blood Services brought a bus to Minot AFB to gather more donations with ease of a mobile unit. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

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Saving lives one bag at a time

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Hubbard, an aircraft metal technology craftsman assigned to the 5th Maintenance Squadron, squeezes a stress ball while donating blood at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2016. Hubbard said he donates as often as he can throughout the year, which for him averages out to be four or five times. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

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Saving lives one bag at a time

United Blood Services visited Minot Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2016 for a blood drive on a bus. A donor completed the process in 6 minutes, 30 seconds, while the average is anywhere between 8-10 minutes. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

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Saving lives one bag at a time

Tech. Sgt. Daniel Hubbard, an aircraft metal technology craftsman assigned to the 5th Maintenance Squadron, laughs as the donor care specialist places a needle in his vein at a blood drive on Minot Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2016. Hubbard said he has never donated blood on the bus but that it was a nice experience. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

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Saving lives one bag at a time

Staff Sgt. Candice Thorpe, a unit deployment manager assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron, takes a deep breath as the donor care specialist places the needle in her vein at a blood drive at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2016. Thorpe said she ate red meat for two days before the donation to be sure her iron levels were high enough to donate double red blood cells. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

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Saving lives one bag at a time

Staff Sgt. Candice Thorpe, a unit deployment manager assigned to the 23rd Bomb Squadron, donates double red blood cells during a blood drive at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., March 18, 2016. Double red cell donation is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)

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Saving lives one bag at a time

Published April 6, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- United Blood Services visited Minot Air Force base March 18, 2016 to host a blood drive on a bus. Twelve individuals donated blood, however 15 products were collected due to three individuals donating double red blood cells. Double red cell donation is similar to a regular donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you. (U.S. Air Force photos/Airman 1st Class Jessica Weissman)