CALLING ALL HOLIDAY HEROES- GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE
Wilmington, DE- While many Americans rush to buy gifts for their friends and family this holiday season, on Monday, December 10, more than 100 people gave another type of gift- the gift of life. Blood Bank of Delmarva hosted the first-ever Holiday Heroes Blood Drive at the Talleyville Fire Hall (3919 Concord Pike).
"Many people search for opportunities to help those in need during the holiday season," said Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for Blood Bank of Delmarva. "What better way to reach out than with a blood donation that can save the lives of several patients."
Blood Bank of Delmarva needs 370 donors every day to provide enough blood for local hospital patients. It can be a serious challenge to meet that number during the holidays and winter months.
"Many potential blood donors go away on vacation, bad weather can keep them from driving to blood donation sites, and more people are getting sick," said Aiken. "This mix can really take a toll on the local blood supply."
The goal of the Holiday Heroes Blood Drive, which is sponsored by the Young Donor Action Committee (YDAC) of Blood Bank of Delmarva, is to recruit people between the ages of 17 and 35 to donate blood and join the Blood Bank. Currently, less than 7% of all Blood Bank members are under 35. The serious lack of young donors is becoming a national problem and must be turned around to support local hospitals in the future.
Walk-in donors are welcome and will be taken as time allows. There will be holiday movies playing for all blood donors and games for the kids.
