McConnell Reservists roll up sleeves for family

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Abigail Klein
  • 931st Air Refueling Group Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Twenty-three Air Force Reservists from the 931st Air Refueling Group, rolled up their sleeves in a blood drive to aid a family member diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia during the October Unit Training Assembly.

The blood drive took place inside a bloodmobile provided by the American Red Cross.  The drive was organized by members of the 931 ARG to help aid 15-year-old Mackenzie, the niece of Tech. Sgt. Stacey Spain, 931 ARG Emergency Management NCOIC.  The drive also included a bone marrow scan. 

Though 931 ARG members participate in quarterly basewide blood drives, this was a unique opportunity for the members to help a family member of one of their own, an opportunity Staff Sgt. Ellie Drake, 931 ARG Emergency Management, jumped at.  Spain is Drake's supervisor.

"I donate blood all the time, but it's nice that this time I can help someone I've known for years," she said. 

Spain, who sat close to the bloodmobile with her parents as they waited to donate, was overwhelmed by the response of her peers.

"It's very humbling," she said.  "They don't know me or my family, but they were willing to help."

As for Mackenzie, she is currently recovering from a bone marrow transplant she received yesterday.  The blood donated will help continue her treatment.

Col. Mark S. Larson, 931 ARG commander, was proud of his Airmen for seizing the opportunity to give back to a family member.

"Not everyone who serves our country wears a uniform," he said.  "Our families also sacrifice for our Airmen, and our members are happy to have the opportunity to give back."