News and Events

PARENTS OF THREE SIBLINGS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE SPEAK OUT ABOUT IMPORTANCE OF BLOOD DONATIONS

September's National Sickle Cell Awareness Month Shows Need for Diverse Blood Donors

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Posted on September 2, 2010 09:16 AM

DONORS COMMEMORATE 9/11 BY GIVING BLOOD IN SPECIAL MEMORIAL DRIVE ON SEPTEMBER 10

DOVER, Del. - Every year, thousands of Americans gather at Ground Zero in New York City to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Others observe the day with memorials, prayers and moments of silence. But what better way is there to honor the victims of September 11 than by saving the lives of those in need today?

On Friday, September 10, Dover International Speedway is hosting a 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. About 75 donors will be giving a pint of blood at this event, and each pint can save up to three lives.

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Posted on August 20, 2010 01:44 PM

BLOOD RECIPIENT PEDALS CROSS-COUNTRY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT NEED FOR BLOOD

After biking 3,847 miles from California to New Hampshire, Larry Frederick stops by Blood Bank of Delmarva on drive back home

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Posted on July 30, 2010 12:29 PM

Blood Donor Cheryl McPherson: "Blood Donations Gave Me Time With My Mom"

Cheryl McPherson of Stevensville, MD has given blood before but she never thought much about where her blood was going. That changed suddenly when her mom, Betty Comegys, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a disorder that prevented her body from making enough new blood cells. Cheryl's mom needed red cell and platelet transfusions on a frequent basis.

Cheryl's mom, Betty

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Posted on July 1, 2010 10:07 AM

Blood Donor Elaine Holmquist: "I'm glad I can do my part to help"

PICTURED: Elaine (left) and her older sister, Gwen, in 1995.

Elaine Holmquist of Wilmington has donated more than three gallons of blood over the years.

"Thankfully, I've been blessed with excellent health," said Elaine. "It's important to me that I help others who have not been as fortunate, especially considering what my older sister, Gwen, went through as a child."

Elaine's sister, Gwen, was born with a hole in her heart and nearly died. She needed countless blood transfusions, as well as open-heart surgery and other treatments.

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Posted on June 30, 2010 02:50 PM

WILMINGTON POLICE RECRUITS PARTICIPATE IN SUMMER COMPETITION TO SAVE LIVES

With just a couple months until Wilmington police recruits graduate from the police academy, they are already coming together to save lives. Many have signed up to give blood as a group on June 18 at the downtown Wilmington Donor Center for the Summer Blood Challenge (SBC).

The SBC is a competition among 170 local employers, including the City of Wilmington, to recruit the most blood donors and Blood Bank members during the summer months when typically fewer people give blood. The competition helps avoid blood shortages that hit other areas of the country.

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Posted on June 17, 2010 02:50 PM

SCHOOL BLOOD DRIVE PROGRAM SETS RECORDS DESPITE HARSH WINTER SEASON

NEWARK, DE - Students on Delmarva reached a new milestone this school year - and it's one for the record books.

Seventy-eight high schools and colleges across the Peninsula held more blood drives this past school year than ever before, resulting in a record number of blood donations. A total of 7,539 blood donations were collected at 125 school blood drives from September 2008 to May 2009 - up nearly 10% from 6,909 donations the previous school year.

The record-breaking School Blood Drive Program is even more noteworthy because of the weather challenges presented this past winter. Back-to-back major snowstorms forced Blood Bank of Delmarva to close donation locations for three days, and many school blood drives were cancelled. All of those blood drives were rescheduled and those donations were recovered thanks to the flexibility and dedication of local schools and students.

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Posted on June 14, 2010 11:40 AM

Employers are the best donor recruiters!

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Posted on June 9, 2010 01:35 PM

It's easy and it saves lives!

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Posted on June 9, 2010 01:27 PM

BLOOD CENTERS AROUND THE GLOBE CELEBRATE WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY ON JUNE 14

NEWARK, DE - Blood Bank of Delmarva will join blood centers around the globe to observe World Blood Donor Day on June 14. The annual event, hosted in Barcelona, Spain this year, highlights the role blood donors play in saving the lives and improving the health of millions each year.

While it is hoped that World Blood Donor Day will create wider awareness of the importance of blood donation and encourage more people to become regular blood donors, the purpose is not to attract a big influx of new donors on June 14. Rather, it is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who donate their blood in order to save lives, without expecting anything in return.

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Posted on June 1, 2010 03:16 PM

LOCAL COMPANIES BAND TOGETHER TO SAVE LIVES THIS SUMMER

Summer Blood Challenge boosts blood donations during critical summer months

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Posted on May 19, 2010 01:58 PM

Michael Franklin Elected Chair of Southern Delmarva Regional Board

SALISBURY, MD - Blood Bank of Delmarva is pleased to announce that Michael Franklin, President and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, has been elected Chair of its Southern Delmarva Regional Board. William Robinson, marketing specialist for the McCready Foundation in Crisfield, has been elected Vice-Chair. Members of this board, along with the Northern and Mid-Delmarva Regional Boards, work in their communities to increase awareness about the need for blood and to encourage people to join and support the Blood Bank.

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Posted on May 13, 2010 03:12 PM

BLOOD BANK OF DELMARVA LAUNCHES NEW LIFESAVING DONATION PROCESS IN DOVER

Donors are able to help up to four patients with one plasma donation

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Posted on May 4, 2010 04:06 PM

Blood Donors Help 3-Year-Old Survive Open-Heart Surgeries

PICTURED: Kailyn, 3, with her little sister, Lauryn

Lynn Holly Oates' three-year-old daughter, Kailyn, is alive today because of blood donors. She was born with a congenital heart defect and needed three open-heart surgeries before she was seventeen months old. Each time she had surgery, she needed blood transfusions.

"Because someone took the time to donate blood, my daughter had what she needed to recover," said Lynn-Holly. "Every time I go to the Blood Bank and give blood, I think about those other people who were sitting in my seat at one time, giving the blood that became a part of Kailyn. I'm extremely grateful."

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Posted on May 3, 2010 09:49 AM

LOCAL MOM AND CANCER SURVIVOR ENCOURAGES BLOOD DONATION AS MOTHER'S DAY GIFT

Wilmington, DE - Eileen Dalton of Wilmington is a mother and cancer survivor. Her new foundation, "Give Blood for your Mother," is partnering with Blood Bank of Delmarva to encourage people to give blood in honor of their mom this Mother's Day. All blood donors who come in to donate at a Blood Bank of Delmarva site through Mother's Day will get a nice card to give their mom sharing their good deed (view card).

"My three sons asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day last year, and I told them to skip the potted plant and give blood instead," said Dalton. "They did and I was really touched, not only because I've given blood over the years, but because blood donors helped save my life."

PICTURED: Eileen's three sons

PICTURED: Eileen (front right) with her husband, three sons, and daughter-in-law.

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Posted on April 27, 2010 09:53 AM

Blood Drive at St. Mark's High School on April 15 Marks 25th Anniversary of High School Blood Drive Program

Recognition ceremony to honor St. Mark's for hosting region's first high school blood drive in 1985

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Posted on April 13, 2010 09:42 AM

LOCAL MOM ENCOURAGES BLOOD DONATION AS MOTHER'S DAY GIFT

Need the perfect Mother's Day gift? To honor your mom, give blood and save a life!

Eileen Dalton of Wilmington is a mother and cancer survivor. Her new foundation, "Give Blood for your Mother," is partnering with Blood Bank of Delmarva to encourage people to give blood in honor of their mom this Mother's Day. All blood donors who come in to donate for their mom at a Blood Bank of Delmarva site through Mother's Day will get a nice card to give her sharing their good deed.

Click on the card to enlarge the image

"My three sons asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day last year, and I told them to skip the potted plant, give blood instead," said Dalton. "They did and I was really touched, not only because I've given blood over the years, but because blood donors helped save my life."

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Posted on April 13, 2010 09:28 AM

Girl Scouts in Salisbury Donate 600 Boxes of Cookies to Blood Bank Canteens

SALISBURY, MD - It's no secret that blood donors love the canteen cookies. And the cookie selection in Salisbury is about to get a little sweeter.

The Girl Scout Service Unit 97 from the Girl Scouts Chesapeake Bay Council will be delivering 600 boxes of cookies to the Blood Bank's Salisbury Donor Center (1309 Mt. Hermon Road) on Tuesday, April 13 at 4:30pm.

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Posted on April 13, 2010 09:23 AM

William Penn Students Attempt Largest High School Blood Drive on Delmarva

Event is at least twice the size of every other high school blood drive in the program

New Castle, DE - On Tuesday, April 6, students and staff from William Penn High School in New Castle hope to break yet another record - by holding the largest one-day high school blood drive on the Delmarva Peninsula for the fourth year in a row. This blood drive was originally scheduled for February 25 but was postponed due to a major snow storm.

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Posted on April 5, 2010 11:53 AM

24-Year-Old Maryland Woman Needed Blood to Survive

PICTURED: Jennie, on the right, with her friend Laurie

When she was born 24 years ago, Jennie Rodriguez of Ocean City, Maryland had serious health problems, including a serious form of bronchitis. During a tracheotomy, a surgical procedure to open up her windpipe, Jennie lost a lot of blood and her heart stopped three times.

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Posted on March 30, 2010 12:15 PM