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    USS John C. Stennis Donates Over 100 Pints of Blood for Shipmates

    NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

    02.12.2020

    Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Rebekah Montanez 

    USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

    NORFOLK, Va. – Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) donated blood during a two-day blood drive in support of the Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) on Pier 11 of Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 28-29.
    The ASBP is a Department of Defense organization that collects, process, and provides donated blood to service members in need.
    “John C. Stennis has a very tight connection with the ASBP,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joseph Carroll, from Las Vegas, and coordinator for the event. “Although the ASBP has a large presence at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, they rely heavily on the ships here in Norfolk for donations. We maintain a healthy population of Sailors at any given time and each time they come to our ship, we can almost guarantee that they will have sufficiently collected enough units of blood to fill their blood banks as well as others overseas.”
    John C. Stennis Sailors who participated in the event said they felt an obligation to support the drive and their brothers and sisters in need.
    “I felt compelled because it’s the right thing to do,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Brian Su, from San Jose, California. “We can’t synthesize blood, so we have to come out and support those in need through donations.”
    The act of donating blood is a simple way to make a potentially huge impact on the life on a fellow shipmate.
    “Giving blood is the easiest way to be a hero,” said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Richard Leydic, from Denver. “Donating could be the difference between life and death for some, and all we have to do is sit in a chair. If it were me who needed blood, I wouldn’t want to be told there wasn’t any to receive.”
    The John C. Stennis was able to provide ample amounts of blood to the ASBP over the course of the two-day blood drive.
    “I was very happy with the turnout,” said Carroll. “Utilizing the mobile blood collection bus, we were able to set up and keep a continuous flow of people throughout the drive.”
    Carroll further expressed his gratitude to both the Sailors who volunteered and the ASBP.
    “These blood drives are very near and dear to my heart,” said Carroll. “Without the generosity of the Sailors onboard and the assistance of so many, this would not be possible. This working relationship between our ship and the ASBP has allowed us to improve and save so many lives. I am thankful for everyone who has shown up or helped out with these events, and I can only hope that we have continued support in the future.”
    Over 70 Sailors were able to donate blood, and over 100 units of blood were collected.
    The John C. Stennis is partnering with Newport News Shipbuilding to complete Refueling Complex Overhaul on schedule with a trained, resilient and cohesive crew.
    For more news on John C. Stennis, visit www.stennis.navy.mil or follow along on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stennis74.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.12.2020
    Date Posted: 02.12.2020 11:57
    Story ID: 362729
    Location: NORFOLK, VA, US

    Web Views: 60
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN