Red Cross and U.S. Marines to host Blood Donor Registration Drive on Sunday, July 23 at Spanish Wall Field

U.S. Embassy Kolonia

July 17th, 2023

Pohnpei, Micronesia – The U.S. Marine Corps, Micronesia Red Cross Society, and the local fire department are working together to save lives by hosting a blood donor registration drive. About one hundred U.S. Marines are here for Operation Koa Moana, a summer-long community service and infrastructure enhancement effort throughout the FSM.

On Sunday, July 23rd all three groups will combine forces to host a registration drive from 4:00-6:00 P.M. at the Spanish Wall field. This drive will not ask for volunteers to donate blood. Instead, they are registering residents of Pohnpei by a quick and easy blood type test to grow the number of registered donors on the island. These donors will be called upon when a donation is needed. More registered donors mean more lives could be saved.

“Pohnpei does not have the capability to store blood for future use,” say Dr. Michael Poppe, U.S. Navy, Task Force Koa Moana. The Red Cross is contacted with a request for the specific blood type and must directly call members of the community to come donate blood. Right now, there are many more requests for blood than there are donors.”

To show how the health and safety of the local community is a top priority, the U.S. Marines, Red Cross volunteers, and local firefighters will also be registering as blood donors themselves. They encourage everyone to join them and support this cause. You could save a life.

For more information about this event, please contact 1stLt Arthur Deal, USMC at arthur.deal@usmc.mil.