Falls Church, Virginia –
Senior Airman Sabrina Silva is an enthusiastic supporter of the Armed Services Blood Program. She not only donates blood, but she also coordinates blood drives at Joint Base Andrews, Md.
For most people, the "why I should donate blood light bulb,” does not turn on until they are older or unfortunately, until someone near and dear to them needs blood. But that was not the case for an Airman at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The “light bulb” went off for Senior Airman Sabrina Silva, a medical laboratory technician with the 79th Medical Wing at the Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center at Joint Base Andrews, at a very young age - 10 years old to be exact.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Silva was 10 years old and in elementary school when she and her family watched the tragedy uhfold and saw people across the country answer the call to donate blood. Disappointed to learn that she was not old enough to donate, Silva decided that she would not only donate when she was old enough, but would also dedicate herself to supporting blood donation and encouraging others to do the same.
"I started really being involved in helping our blood programs after the 9/11 attack, pledging to donate when I became of age, in honor of those lives lost and the heroes of the past, present and future,” she said.
With the approval of her principal, Silva and her younger brother, Alex, quickly created a campaign to encourage students at her elementary school to sign pledge cards with their oath to donate blood when they were old enough. Within days, nearly 500 students had turned in their pledge cards.
Silva didn't stop there, when she was in high school, she organized blood drives in support of her local blood bank, and in just four years inspired thousands of her fellow high school students to roll up their sleeves and donate. In one record-breaking, three-day blood drive, she recruited more than 500 donors.
Five years ago, Silva joined the United States Air Force and once again sought out opportunities to donate blood and motivate others to do the same. Not long after arriving at Joint Base Andrews, Silva contacted the Armed Services Blood Bank Center at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., to inquire about military blood drives in the Washington metro area. Yet again, she took the lead and began coordinating blood drives sponsored by the Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic and Surgery Center.
“It is important for us to have advocates like Senior Airman Silva at installations in the National Capital Region in order to accomplish our mission of helping people just like her,” said Navy Lt. Stephanie Golla, director of Armed Services Blood Bank Center at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. “She has the passion that is necessary to motivate others to give some of their time and precious blood to help save lives. Her deep-rooted interest in the Armed Services Blood Program is truly appreciated by all who benefit.”
Taking on the challenge of supporting the ASBP was important to her and Silva has taken the lead in educating her fellow Airman about the importance of donating blood. Her dedication has helped ensure that ASBP blood drives have been successful and helped to grow the presence of the ASBP on Joint Base Andrews.
"Supporting our heroes that I have the opportunity and honor to serve next to has been amazing and I look forward to the chance of donating every time the ASBP donation team holds a blood drive,” she said.
Silva said she will continue to encourage her fellow Airman at Joint Base Andrews and around the world to “be the hero you are meant to be.”
About the Armed Services Blood Program
Since 1962, the Armed Services Blood Program has served as the sole provider of blood for the United States military. As a tri-service organization, the ASBP collects, processes, stores and distributes blood and blood products to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and their families worldwide. As one of four national blood collection organizations trusted to ensure the nation has a safe, potent blood supply, the ASBP works closely with our civilian counterparts by sharing donors on military installations where there are no military blood collection centers and by sharing blood products in times of need to maximize availability of this national treasure. To find out more about the ASBP or to schedule an appointment to donate, please visit www.militaryblood.dod.mil. To interact directly with ASBP staff members, see more photos or get the latest news, follow @militaryblood on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube and Pinterest. Find the drop. Donate.
The Armed Services Blood Program is a proud recipient of the Army Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware Public Affairs award for journalism.