Last week, Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) honored General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Naval Station Newport (NAVSTA) for their longstanding commitments to hosting blood drives.
RIBC Executive Director of Blood Operations Nicole Pineault and Account Manager Heather Robenhymer recognized GDEB as RIBC’s top annual blood donor at a ceremony held May 1, recognizing it as the center’s largest single donor group. GDEB hosts four blood drives annually, collecting approximately 2,000 donations each year.
Honorees included:
- David Bussiere – Certificate of Recognition
- Edward Maroney – Community Impact Award
- Blake Laverdiere – Visionary Leadership Award
- General Dynamics Electric Boat Board – 2024 Outstanding Corporate Partner Award
On May 2, Pineault was joined by Sarah Perez, Manager of Donor Recruitment, and Ellen Beaulieu, Account Manager, at Naval Station Newport to recognize the base’s vital role in supporting the local blood supply through its long-standing partnership with RIBC.
Speakers included Naval Academy Professor Richard Stabley, a blood drive coordinator; 18-gallon donor Edmond Sheffield; and 16-gallon donor Jim LeBlanc. Sheffield and LeBlanc are regular donors at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, NAVSTA’s largest blood drive site.
“We recognize the valuable partnerships in the community to make blood donations possible, and both Naval Station Newport and General Dynamics Electric Boat are among the biggest blood drives we hold,” Pineault said. “Only 3 percent of eligible donors in the U.S donate, so making it easy for people to donate is crucial to our mission. Thank you, GDEB and NAVSTA.”
To learn more about becoming a lifesaving partner by hosting a blood drive, donating blood, or volunteering, visit ribc.org or call 800-283-8385. Together, we can help save lives across Rhode Island and beyond.
