(CRANE) – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) employees respond to support the American Red Cross during a severe, statewide blood shortage March 18 and 19.
Due to public health concerns surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic, many blood drives at schools and local businesses have closed.
Lance White, an Account Representative with the American Red Cross, says the donations from NSWC Crane employees are critical to helping save patient lives across the country.
“We are so thankful for our partners at Crane,” says White. “The situation with the blood supply is critical right now. We have had to cancel around 4,000 blood drives, and we have missed out on over 100,000 units of blood because of it.”
White says even with implementing mass telework, Crane employees donated blood.
“Not only did you all step up and have your blood drive, but even with your workforce on maximum telework status, you were able to collect 232 units of blood that will be used to save lives locally and across the country.
Lots of staff even drove onto the base just to donate blood during the hortage!”
NSWC Crane collaborated with the Red Cross to complete a successful blood drive while implementing cautionary social distancing procedures to ensure the safety of those who donated. Red Cross personnel immediately checked the temperature of each person entering the space. They had people use anti-bacterial hand sanitizer upon arriving at the designated blood drive location. In addition, people in lines were spaced six feet apart.
Jordan Tharp, an Engineer at NSWC Crane, commuted onsite just to donate blood during the current blood shortage.
“The Red Cross and NSWC Crane took necessary health precautions and followed social distancing guidelines in order to get the blood they needed while keeping everyone as safe as possible,” says Tharp.
Tharp has donated blood sixteen times since starting at NSWC Crane. He says it is important for him to donate.
“I try to donate every time there is a blood drive on base,” says Tharp. “Plus, now is a more important time than ever to give. I have friends who have relied on donations to survive, and I donate to help people who need it. It was a no-brainer to drive in.”
About NSWC Crane
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multispectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s Warfighter.
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NAVSEA employs a highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce – from students and entry-level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today’s sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems, and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, IT and cyber specialists, as well as trade and other support professionals to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America. Please contact NSWC Crane Human Resources at crane_recruiting@navy.mil.
