MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The American Red Cross Society and Japanese Red Cross Society partnered together to conduct a blood drive at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 7, 2017.
This blood drive marked the first time the two societies coordinated an event together on the air station.
The blood drive is a biannual event, one being held in March and the other in August, normally focused on Japanese locals. Both organizations have mentioned working together again in August.
“I think this contributes to the deepening bond of the Japanese and Americans,” said Shimizu Kenichi, the promotion sub-division number one chief of the Japanese Red Cross Blood Center in the Yamaguchi Prefecture. “Hopefully this will go further to unite both communities in the future.”
Kenichi said blood taken from the donors will go to hospitals and patients in the Yamaguchi Prefecture to help save lives.
The drive ended with a total of 59 donors, 15 of which were U.S. service members, and approximately 24,000 milliliters of blood.
“We think there was a huge outpouring of people who want to participate, and we’ve had great support from the community,” said Kim Tarleton, the American Red Cross MCAS Iwakuni manager. “I think it’s been a success, and we’re hoping this can be something we can continue with them in the years to come.”
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