Courtesy Photo | Lt. Christopher “Kirby” Linck, Detail Andros Island officer in charge, Naval...... read more read more
Story by Religious Program Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Benoit, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74
GULFPORT, Miss. - There are four types of transfusable products that can be derived from blood: red cells, platelets, plasma, and cryoprecipitate. Typically, two or three of these are produced for each pint of donated whole blood – hence each donation can help save up to three lives. Seventy-seven lives could, potentially, be saved with donations from the service members and their family members that gave blood during the American Red Cross Blood Drive on March 12, 2014, hosted by Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74.
The drive took place on board Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport, Miss., and was a chance for military members to help one another.
“For every four units donated, one unit is reserved for military members,” said Rhonda D. Dodge, American Red Cross senior donor recruitment representative.
At the drive, NMCB 74’s own Builder Constructionman Robert Cox, donning his undershirt with the words, “Don’t Worry,” in the front, “Be Happy,” on the back said, “I would want the blood if I needed it. I just want to help those that do need it.”
Lt. Christopher “Kirby” Linck, Detail Andros Island officer in charge, had a similar message saying, “The knowledge that part of me is going to help others in a time of need is a good feeling. Plus, who can pass up free cookies?”
Although hosted by NMCB 74, the blood drive accepted donors from all branches of service, members both past and present.
Eight-year United States Marine Corps veteran Sgt. Kendra Gutknecht, from Combat Logistic Battalion 451 DET 2 Maintenance Company, stopped in to lend a hand, or in this case, a vein.
“My grandmother who is very dear to me has needed transfusions that extended her life by two years,” said Gutknecht. “Plus I have two boys that if, heaven forbid, needed it, have the opportunity.”
With its home port in Gulfport, Miss., NMCB 74 is a 580-person Seabee battalion currently deployed to multiple locations in U.S. Northern Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility, providing general and contingency engineering support to combatant and component commanders in order to enhance their operational capabilities across the full spectrum of military operations. Operating forward, NMCB 74 strives to capitalize on engagement opportunities and build lasting relationships, ultimately paving the way for future partnerships.
For more news and information on NMCB 74, visit the command Facebook page at https://www.Facebook.com/#!/FEARLESS74.
| Date Taken: | 03.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.22.2014 13:55 |
| Story ID: | 122394 |
| Location: | GULFPORT, MS, US |
| Web Views: | 341 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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