Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced the donation of a Dodge Promaster 3500 to the American Red Cross of South Carolina on Wednesday.
The donation of the vehicle will provide critical assistance with disaster response and the processing of life-saving blood donations.
“I am honored to be a part of this effort that includes providing critical disaster relief to families and collecting and delivering blood to those in need across the state,” said Lou Kennedy, CEO of Nephron Pharmaceuticals, and member of the board of directors for Red Cross of the Lowcountry, who also serves as the Biomed Committee chair.
These vehicles are important to the Red Cross mission to collect, test, and deliver blood to patients. Vans like these are essential in disaster situations, enabling the Red Cross to lift up families impacted by everything from fires to hurricanes.
The announcement was made at the Nephron headquarters, where Lou Kennedy and Rod Tolbert, CEO of American Red Cross of South Carolina, held a ribbon-cutting to commemorate the delivery of the new van.
“Nephron Pharmaceuticals and their CEO Lou Kennedy have been such great partners to the American Red Cross. We simply cannot and will not be able to deliver our mission across our great state without partners and supporters like Lou and Nephron Pharmaceuticals,” said Rod Tolbert.
In addition to Kennedy and Tolbert, Brenda Green participated in the event, thanking the Red Cross and its leadership for the work the Red Cross does to assist children like her son, who has sickle cell anemia. World Sickle Cell Day is June 19.
“We thank you, Lou,” said Green. “We thank you for this opportunity. I think I can say on behalf of all of the parents and all of the caregivers of those with sickle cell that we appreciate you and your efforts. You are helping to save lives.”