West Point holds several blood drives annually through the Armed Services Blood Program and the American Red Cross, where most of the Corps of Cadets, along with staff, faculty and civilian employees gladly participate.
One or two blood drives also test for bone marrow for those who wish to be placed into a database for possible donation if a match is found. Bone marrow testing is a simple swab from the mouth inside the cheeks. Results of the test are entered into a database and when a match is found, the donor is notified.
Class of 2013 Cadet John Maxwell found out last year that he was a match for a young female suffering from leukemia.
"I found out during summer break that I was a match for someone," Maxwell said. "I couldn't say no."
