SWRMC was able to provide 188 successful donations over four blood drives this year with an estimated 564 people benefitting from these donations.

“I am impressed and thankful for the generosity of the folks who made the time to donate here at SWRMC,” said Master Chief Asa Worcester, SWRMC’s Command Master Chief. “It was important for us to give everyone the opportunity to help out in this time of need.”

The need for blood donations has been critical due to the impact of COVID-19.  SWRMC and the ASBP ensured a safe space to donate; donors were encouraged to use the appointment system, additional registration spots were added to allow for social distancing, gloves were provided to use registration equipment and additional cleaning measures were taken.

 “The blood drives hosted by SWRMC had an additional positive impact due to the pandemic which began mid- March. Many of our regular blood drive locations were no longer able to support blood drives for many reasons – among them fear of the spread of the virus and reduced personnel (teleworking, etc.),” said Doreen Rekoski, Blood Donor Center Recruiter, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command. “SWRMC stepped up their game by hosting multiple blood drives to help us keep blood on the shelves at Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, as well as helping us to satisfy our weekly shipments of blood for the troops which are sent to various locations around the world.”

The ASBP is the official military provider of blood products to the U.S. Armed Forces, with its focus on equipping the warfighter with the lifesaving blood needed on the battlefield and in military treatment facilities worldwide.

SWRMC is meeting its mission to provide superior ship maintenance, modernization, technical support, and training for the Pacific Fleet.

For more information on SWRMC, please visit https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/RMC/SWRMC.