CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit donated to the Armed Services Blood Program during a drive at Camp Del Mar here Aug. 2.
Medical personnel from Naval Medical Center San Diego hosted the monthly on-base drive, inviting the unit and surrounding military personnel to give.
“I give blood because I can,” said Cpl. Brandon J. Rivero, 20, a Miami native and an administrative clerk with the unit. “It’s free and it could mean everything to somebody one day. If I’m able to help someone, I will.”
According to Petty Officer 1st Class Ben E. Deza, the donated blood will be processed into three different blood products and distributed to the center and to armed services worldwide.
“One donation could potentially save three peoples’ lives,” said Deza, a 31-year-old San Mateo, Calif., native, and a lab technician with the center.
For more information, visit the program's website www.militaryblood.dod.mil.
The unit is scheduled to deploy to the Western Pacific in the fall.