TYSONS, Va.–PenFed sponsored the first corporate-sponsored blood drive in the Washington, D.C. area following the easing of Virginia’s stay at home orders.
The credit union noted the country faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to COVID-19, and PenFed employees from throughout DC/Maryland/Virginia stepped up to meet this need.
The event was part of a larger drive for PenFed employees to donate at least 85 pints of blood in honor of PenFed’s recent 85th anniversary.
“Our nation faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to COVID-19, and PenFed employees are stepping up to meet this need,” said PenFed Credit Union President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck. “At PenFed, we believe that giving back to our local communities is an important part of doing business and we are proud to support the American Red Cross and their vital mission. It’s more important now than ever to donate blood and save lives.”
The donated blood will be used to help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. Each donated pint of blood can save up to three lives. The blood donated at PenFed’s 85th anniversary blood drives will save at least 255 lives.
In total, PenFed employees and colleagues in the Greater Washington Area donated 28 pints. Future events are being scheduled in PenFed offices and financial centers throughout the country to reach or surpass the goal of 85 total donated pints.