Maj. Margot Myers
Public Affairs Officer
Arizona Wing
Operation Pulse Lift has surpassed 5,000 units of blood collected for the American Red Cross since the mission launched in April 2020.
Desiree Edwards of Pinetop, Arizona, donated the 5,000th unit July 27 at a collection center hosted by the Arizona Wing’s Show Low Composite Squadron. Operation Pulse Lift’s organizer, Lt. Col. Robert Ditch, had originally chosen Sept. 30, the final day of fiscal 2021, as the 5,000-unit target date.
Jason Benedict, Donor Services executive for the Red Cross Arizona and New Mexico Region, praised the Operation Pulse Lift campaign: “Please know that you all are doing something here that is extremely extraordinary! While we work with many blood sponsors throughout the country and are grateful for each and every one of them, it is different when you have an organization who has made it their personal mission, ‘Operation Pulse Lift,’ to answer the need in the way that you all have.”
Since it began, Operation Pulse Lift has hosted 95 donor centers in five states during the COVID-19 pandemic response, collecting enough blood to potentially save 15,141 lives. In addition to collections at CAP-sponsored events, the total includes independent blood donations reported by CAP members.
In addition, John Demarais, CAP’s director of operations, has passed along an urgent request for collections and donations in light of the American Red Cross’ report of a critical shortfall of blood supplies across the U.S., with only a one-day supply available.