Rhode Island Blood Center (RIBC) recently had the pleasure of spending time with Miss Teen Rhode Island, Ocean Lombard, as part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, especially among youth donors. Ocean has been a strong advocate for our mission through her leadership at Westerly High School, where she serves as the student coordinator for blood drives, helping to engage her peers and encourage lifelong donation habits.
Last week, RIBC Account Manager Heather Robenhymer joined Ocean on her podcast “Ride the Wave”for a broader conversation about blood donation and its impact. Heather shared insights into why blood donation is so critical, how donors make a difference every day, and the role RIBC plays in supporting patients across Rhode Island and beyond.
Building on that momentum, Ocean visited our Providence Donor Center this week for an in-depth tour of our facility with Nicole Pineault, Executive Director of Operations. During her visit, she saw firsthand what happens to donated blood after it leaves a drive and had the opportunity to tour our laboratory, gaining a deeper understanding of the care, testing, and precision involved before blood reaches patients in need. We are grateful to Ocean for her partnership, curiosity, and commitment to sharing our story, and we thank her for helping RIBC continue to inspire the next generation of blood donors across Rhode Island.
