New York Division of Military and Naval Affairs News - Air Guard Gives Gift of Life during Holiday Season

Story by: Tech. Sgt. Michael OHalloran - 105th Airlift Wing
Dated: Fri, Dec 21, 2007

Stewart Air National Guard Base, Newburgh N.Y.-- 21 December 2007. Staff Sgt. Brian Burns, 105 MXS, happily awaits preparation to donate double red blood cells in support of Stewart Air National Guard Base’s annual Holiday Season blood drive. Burns feels a sense of responsibility to give to those in need and has donated for over 8 years. The 105th Airlift Wing community is a consistent supporter of the New York Blood Service, Hudson Valley Region. Stewart ANGB holds four blood dives a year, each on or just prior to a major holiday. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael OHalloran

STEWART AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, NEWBURGH N.Y. -- Members of the 105th Airlift Wing donated much more than their time on December 21st as part of the Stewart Air National Guard Base’s annual Holiday Season blood drive. Approximately 100 Airmen from the Airlift Wing donated the gift of life and donated blood to the Hudson Valley Region of the New York Blood Service.

"There’s a sense of responsibility to give to those in need," explained Staff Sgt. Brian Burns from the 105th Maintenance Squadron as he awaited preparation to donate double the amount of red blood cells. Burns has been a consistent blood donor for the past eight years.

The 105th Airlift Wing community, a consistent supporter of the New York Blood Service Hudson Valley Region, holds four blood dives a year, each on or just prior to a major holiday.

"We had an awesome day today at Stewart Air National Guard Base," said JoAnne Cella, Account Manager for the Hudson Valley Blood Services of the New York Blood Center, "With 123 pints collected, including pints using the ALYX, or aphaeresis, machine that collects double red blood cells which are for direct use by cancer patients."

"We, the N.Y. Blood center, thank everyone at Stewart for their continued support in helping meet patients need for blood over the holiday season," said Cella.