News and Events

Deanna B. of Laurel, Delaware says she will always be grateful for the selfless acts of blood donors at Blood Bank of Delmarva.

"I can not even begin to tell you how many blood products my husband has received through the years," Deanna said.

PICTURED: Deanna with her husband Gerry and son Dale on Christmas Day 2006 at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Deanna recently lost her husband Gerry to a 5-year battle with leukemia.

Gerry was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in 2002. In the beginning of his chemotherapy treatments, he needed red blood cell and platelet transfusions every day. Those transfusions helped him live a longer, healthier life than he would have otherwise.

PICTURED: Gerry, Deanna, and son Dale in 2006 with dogs Junior and Missy.

"My husband is the most courageous person I've ever met," Deanna said. "Even through aggressive chemotherapy and medical treatments, he insisted on using his own illness to help others with leukemia. I will continue to do this now by encouraging all of my friends, family, and co-workers to become frequent blood donors."

Deanna, who works at First State Inspection Agency in Georgetown, has stayed true to her word. She just created her own Blood Bank of Delmarva membership group and has already recruited 6 of her co-workers to become members. Deanna is also recruiting members from the Laurel Fire Department, where Gerry was an active volunteer for 13 years.

PICTURED: Building and sign of the fire station on Gerry and Deanna's farm, dedicated in his honor.

For membership information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or visit www.delmarvablood.org.

PICTURED: Deanna and Dale beside the tree in their backyard that they planted in Gerry's memory.

Colds, flu season and inclement weather impact blood supply

Newark, DE- The winter season becomes a perfect storm for Blood Bank of Delmarva: more people get sick and cannot donate; bad weather hinders people from driving to blood donation sites; and many donors go away on winter vacations.

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 winter months.

"Now is the time when illness is most prevalent," said Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for Blood Bank of Delmarva. "During cold and flu season, many potential blood donors are deferred from donating until they are healthy. This can really take a toll on the local blood supply."

BBD celebrates National Blood Donor Month
To draw attention to this ongoing problem, Blood Bank of Delmarva is joining blood centers across the country in observing National Blood Donor Month in January. Since 1970, National Blood Donor Month has recognized the efforts of regular blood donors and encouraged others to give the gift of life for the first time- especially for those who aren't able to during the challenging winter months.

"January is a time of good intentions, a time when people evaluate what they want from the coming year," said Dave Bonk, Blood Bank director of PR and Marketing. "People make all kinds of New Year resolutions- to lose weight, quit smoking, pay off debt- but what better resolution is there than to commit to saving lives?"

10th Annual Beach Blanket Blood Drive helps winter blood supply
To help boost the blood supply this winter, Blood Bank of Delmarva is hosting the 10th annual Beach Blanket Blood Drive at the Ocean City (MD) Convention Center on January 29 and 30. During the past nine years, this 2-day event has collected more than 2,500 units of blood.

Donate blood in Wilmington- Receive a special gift
To address a decrease in blood donations at the downtown Wilmington Center at 913 North Market Street, Blood Bank of Delmarva kicked off a major public awareness campaign.

For every day the Wilmington Center is open, Tuesday through Friday until January 31, 2008, blood donors will receive a special gift as follows:

- T-shirt Tuesday- limited edition t-shirt
- Warm-up Wednesday- fleece blanket
- Travel-mug Thursday- commemorative mug
- Forget-your-lunch Friday- packed lunch by Bean Bag Cafe

The Wilmington Center first opened in 1984. At that time, the center consistently had about 8,000 blood donors a year. Now, the Blood Bank is only able to schedule about 3,000 donors a year. Blood Bank of Delmarva has four permanent donor centers (Wilmington, Newark and Dover, DE and Salisbury, MD) and 27 locations throughout Delmarva visited by the Bloodmobile.

Whitney W. was 18 when she lost her mother to cancer. Since then, she has become a 'blood donor advocate'- giving blood and encouraging others to do the same.

"My mom was sick for 10 years. Every time I walked into the hospital to visit her, I could see reasons to give blood. There were patients everywhere I looked who needed transfusions."

PICTURED: Whitney, left, with her sister in front of the Blood Bank "Bloodmobile."

Whitney's mother received platelet transfusions during her chemotherapy treatments. Whitney now donates blood regularly in memory of her mom.

"It's an indescribable feeling to give blood because you know you are literally saving someone's life," she said. "My mom was such a giving person. She would have done anything for anyone. This is the least I can do for her."

"Ever since I was little girl, I hated needles. I used to dread doctor visits and shots and I would have done anything to avoid them. When the opportunity to give blood was presented to me, I would turn it down. I just couldn't make myself go to the blood drive, even though I knew my blood donation could help save someone's life.

That was before the accident- the day my life changed forever," said Meghan M., Blood Bank of Delmarva member.

PICTURED: Meghan with her boyfriend, David, who needed 124 units of blood to survive a motorcycle accident.

"One night in May, I went for my first motorcycle ride with my boyfriend. It was late, the roads were wet, and we hit a pothole. I was thrown off the motorcycle into bushes, surviving with only minor injuries and a hurt knee.

My boyfriend was not so lucky. He had multiple life-threatening internal injuries. He needed 86 units of blood during five surgeries- all on his first day at the hospital. After that, he spent 13 weeks receiving care and an additional 38 units of blood products - including red cells and platelets.

It is a miracle he is alive. And he is alive today because people took the time to give blood.

Knowing what I know now and experiencing the worst first-hand, I can honestly say that I will not let my fear of needles stop me from giving blood. I gave my first pint on July 20 and I plan on giving again and again. And it was so easy.

David is expected to make a full recovery. I can't wait for the day when he is healthy and can start giving back to the Blood Bank- an organization of people who helped save his life."

- Meghan M., Blood Bank member

PICTURED: Robert Bruner, left, poses with his family in front of the Blood Bank's Christiana Center.

Blood Bank of Delmarva member Robert Bruner of Newark, Delaware was inducted into the 2007 Fenwal Blood Donation Hall of Fame. Only 13 people nationwide receive this annual honor.

A near-death experience in 1996 prompted Robert Bruner to begin donating platelets, a blood component needed to treat people with leukemia and cancer. Bruner was involved in a serious motorcycle accident. He spent two months in the hospital and received fourteen pints of blood.

"Blood donors saved my life. After the accident, I promised to replace everything that I used," Bruner said. "I felt like I could make the biggest impact through platelet donation."

Although he had been a whole blood donor with Blood Bank of Delmarva since 1992, he became a dedicated platelet donor after he recovered from his injuries. Bruner, 49, became the 3rd and youngest Blood Bank member to make more than 200 platelet donations.

"I first started donating blood in 1985, and I really enjoyed the fact that I was helping people. When the plateletpheresis program started a year or so later, I was intrigued and decided to give platelet donation a try. Platelets are small cells in the blood that control bleeding. They plug holes in blood vessels and assist in the clotting process. I was hooked after my first donation! The feeling of knowing that I was helping cancer and patients, leukemia patients, accident victims, and anyone who needed platelets was incredible. And after 20 years of platelet donations, I just completed my 100th donation!

I have no idea how many people I may have helped over the years, but just knowing that I was able to help someone is an awesome feeling. I urge anyone to give blood donation a try. I guarantee you will make someone's day brighter- including your own!"

- Susan DeRose, Blood Bank member since 1984

Please give blood. It's easy. It saves lives.
Call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 to schedule an appointment.

Andrew, age 14, was proud to be a 'straight-A' student at Salesianum School. Andrew had charisma, a fun-loving personality, and an affectionate nature. He excelled at all sports, particularly soccer and baseball.

But on January 27, 2007, everything changed.

Just 48 hours after playing four soccer games, Andrew went into cardiac arrest. When his parents brought him to the hospital, they were shocked to find out that he had leukemia. Andrew went into major septic shock and had to be resuscitated. He spent 167 days at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE- mostly in intensive care- fighting leukemia, multiple life-threatening infections, and brain surgery.

During that time, Andrew received numerous blood and platelet transfusions. Although Andrew ultimately lost his battle on July 14, 2007, those blood transfusions prolonged his life. Less than two weeks after his death, Andrew's father, Joe, donated blood. He also spoke to other donors that day- to thank them.

"People were surprised that I would thank them," says Joe. "I wanted to let them know that blood donors gave a precious gift to Andrew and our family. Their donations helped him be more comfortable- and to be with us longer. We are extremely grateful for that."

Joe continues to give blood and encourages others to do the same. "Giving blood is so easy- and knowing that it is helping someone makes me happy. It also allows me to perform an act of kindness in honor of my son."

The McDonough Family has established The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation, with its motto, "Be Positive." Among other things, it is dedicated to performing acts of kindness. "What better act of kindness is there than giving blood to help another person," says Joe McDonough.

For more information, visit www.LiveLikeAndrew.org.

At 2 months old, Gabrielle A. of Wilmington was diagnosed with a rare and potentially fatal liver disease. Each day, Gabrielle's skin and the whites of her eyes became more yellow. She was constantly scratching her skin because of the disease. She desperately needed a new liver.

PICTURED: Gabrielle, 18, with her parents Gabe and Eve at their Wilmington home.

Gabrielle had to wait nearly one year for a liver transplant, and she was repeatedly sent to the hospital for plasma transfusions. Even after she received her new liver, she again needed multiple blood transfusions. Because of local heroes- blood and organ donors- Gabrielle was able to recover and is now 18 years old and healthy.

Matthew G. is your typical 18-year-old. The Pocomoke High School senior plays tennis, runs track and works as a lifeguard at the YMCA. Looking up at the 6-foot, 6-inch slender teen, one might never guess how a holiday gift in 1994 changed his life forever.

It was two days after Christmas and 5-year-old Matthew was playing with a new toy and eating pretzels. After noticing a clear fluid on the table in front of him, Matthew did what kids do. He sucked up the fluid on the table.

"I remember doing it. It looked like Sprite," he said.

That's the last thing Matthew remembers. What the little boy thought was soda was actually battery fluid that had leaked out from the new toy.

"The next thing I knew I was waking up in the hospital," he added.

The battery fluid had burned his esophagus. Matthew underwent several procedures in the hospital to try and keep his esophagus open so he could breathe. By January of 1996, doctors had removed his esophagus and pulled his stomach up into his chest. He received several blood transfusions.

At the time of the accident, Matthew's mother, Gail, was the girls' basketball coach at Pocomoke High School. When a student on her team heard what happened to Matthew, she arranged a blood drive at the school in honor of Matthew. She also wanted to raise awareness about the need for blood.

What began as a gesture of solidarity has led Pocomoke High School to be a top donor school for seven consecutive years. Matthew gave blood for the first time at the blood drive in October.

"We can literally take these numbers (of units donated) and multiply them by three, because that's how many people these donors are helping," said Matthew's mother, Gail. "It is an amazing thing when young people show they care - even if they're a little scared of a needle. Our family is so grateful to the people who keep on giving because at one time our son was the one who needed the blood."

Kim W., 33, had the 'perfect pregnancy.'

"My water broke early in the morning," she said. "The baby was out in three pushes- it was easy labor."

But then something went wrong. She couldn't stop bleeding. Kim was rushed back to the emergency room for immediate surgery. She needed a hysterectomy to stop the bleeding.

Kim also needed 87 units of blood- about 8 times her normal blood volume. She woke up a day and a half later on life support.

That was two years ago. Today, Kim and her daughter, Lilly, are both doing fine.

"Thank you to the people who give blood everyday," said Kim. "I can tell you first-hand that blood saved my life."

Corrine B. of Northeast, MD was only two years old when she contracted mononucleosis. The illness quickly turned into a rare blood disorder called HLH (Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), which often affects infants and young children.

Corrine needed about 140 units of red cells, platelets and plasma throughout her chemotherapy treatment to survive.

"Doctors at A.I. duPont (Hospital for Children) told us three nights in a row that Corrine may not make it," said her father, Scott B. of Northeast, Maryland.

Scott, 34, had been a loyal whole blood donor and a member of Blood Bank of Delmarva since he was 18, but he never knew blood donations would one day affect his own child.

"I know now how important blood donations and platelet donations really are," he said. "They saved my daughter's life- there's no doubt about that."

Suzy Y., 35, was getting ready to deliver her second child by cesarean section- but she wasn't worried. She had delivered her first child by C-section and everything went smoothly.

But this time, things were different.

Two hours after giving birth to her son Lucas, a healthy 7 pound, 12 ounce boy, doctors couldn't stop the bleeding.

"They had to go back in and operate," Suzy said. "For a few hours, my husband didn't know if I would make it. I remember telling my doctors that I didn't want to die."

Suzy was transfused with 14 units of blood.

"Doctors went through heroic efforts to save me," said Suzy. "I am thankful to them and to blood donors- they allowed me to survive."

Today, Suzy and her husband John are enjoying life in Wilmington, Delaware with Lucas, and their daughter, Julia.

Three years ago, triplets- Hailey, Hunter and Kaitlyn C. of Northeast, MD- were born prematurely at just 27 weeks. Each baby needed blood transfusions to survive.

Their mom watched as the color of their skin changed back to normal after receiving the transfusions.

Today, all three children are healthy and happy- and their mother continues to be a blood donor. Strangers donated blood so the triplets could live, and she wants to do the same for them.

Newborn Christopher P. was diagnosed with Rh disease, a rare and potentially fatal blood disorder that destroys red blood cells. From birth, every inch of Christopher's skin was bathed in light in an effort to combat the jaundicing effects of his life-threatening illness. After weeks of hospitalization and constant care, Christopher required an emergency blood transfusion.

"It was the middle of the night," says Christopher's dad Rich. "All I could think was... I hope the blood supply is safe. I hope they have the right type of blood available for our baby."

Thanks to anonymous donors, there was blood available for Christopher. And because of the Blood Bank's rigorous screening process, the blood was safe for transfusion.

Two years later, Christopher is the picture of health. Rich says his son is "living proof" that blood donors do make a difference.

When Alex K. and his twin brother William of Middletown were born 3 months early, they each weighed less than 3 pounds. Alex suffered an abruption, which means the placenta began to separate from the wall of his mother's uterus before he was born. After birth, Alex was rushed to intensive care at Christiana Hospital and needed blood transfusions to survive.

Thanks to the selfless acts of blood donors, Alex was able to recover from his injuries and was home by Christmas Day. Both boys recently turned three-years-old.

Blood Bank of Delmarva is following the local and national trend of health care organizations going "smoke-free." As of January 1, 2008, a smoking ban is in effect at all Blood Bank locations. This includes all donor centers, vehicles, Bloodmobiles, and parking lots. It also includes personal cars in Blood Bank parking lots and other facilities used by the Blood Bank as work areas.

"The new policy is expected to help enhance the appearance and environment of our buildings and grounds, as well as improve the health of Blood Bank employees," said Penny Davis, Blood Bank director of Human Resources. "As a health-related organization, we are excited to take this important step toward promoting and encouraging healthy lifestyles throughout our community."

According to the American Lung Association, tobacco remains the number one preventable cause of death in the United States. Diseases related to tobacco kill more than 438,000 Americans each year.

The Blood Bank Human Resources department first announced the smoking ban in October and began offering employees information and referrals to quit smoking. So far, many employees have taken advantage of these resources.

For more information, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

Glucose level of several blood donors in dangerous range

NEWARK, DE- In the first three months of Blood Bank of Delmarva's diabetes screening program, 103 blood donors received potentially lifesaving information after they gave blood: they had glucose levels of more than 200. Donors with that result are urged to contact their physicians for further testing. Of those with elevated glucose levels, 24 blood donors had levels greater than 300, two had dangerous levels greater than 400 and one donor fell in the critical range with 530.

"Our diabetes screening program is identifying potential diabetics at a rate of more than one per day," said Robert L. Travis, Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) President and CEO. "This program is proving that blood banks can make a difference not only to blood recipients, but to donors as well. We are now potentially saving lives on both sides of the blood bag."

How it works
Since October of 2007, BBD donors have been offered the opportunity to be screened for diabetes as part of the regular blood testing process. BBD currently conducts 11 tests as part of the regular testing protocol. This twelfth test - for high glucose - takes place at the same time and at no cost to the donor. In the fourth quarter of 2007, about 75% of BBD's blood donors (nearly 14,000 donors) opted to be screened. Each donor screened is given a confidential online password to enter on www.delmarvabloodresults.org in order to access their results. It is expected that results from the BBD diabetes screening program will provide the largest pool of data available from one geographic region.

Diabetes Statistics
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), more than 20.8 million children and adults in the United States (7% of the population) have diabetes and one third or 6.2 million people, are unaware that they have the disease. ADA researchers say about 8% of the population on Delmarva (the state of Delaware and Maryland and Virginia's Eastern Shore) has diabetes, and about one-third do not know it. Even more staggering, local ADA experts estimate that the prevalence of diabetes on parts of the Shore is as high as 14-18%, possibly due to higher percentages of retirees and general traditional lifestyle habits such as high-fat, high-sugar diets.

In the United States, the death rate for diabetes is on a dramatic rise, increasing 45% since 1987. It continues to go up while fatalities for other diseases such as heart attack, stroke and cancer decline. It is the fifth deadliest disease in the country.

Donors in 18-30 age group have plunged over the years

Sunday (Delaware) News Journal article on serious decline in young Blood Bank members :
By AARON NATHANS- The News Journal

The Blood Bank of Delmarva needs new blood.

Winter is typically a high-demand time, but recent population trends have compounded those needs, say officials at the blood bank, the main blood donation organization in Delaware.

In 1982, people ages 18-30 made up 19.1 percent of the blood bank's "member," or regular, donors. In 2006, that demographic made up just 6.3 percent.

The 31-40 set made up 21.9 percent in 1982, but were just 10.8 percent in 2006.

Meanwhile, in 1982, people 75 and older made up just 4.5 percent of regular donors. Last year, they made up 20.1 percent.

"The same folks who were very loyal donors for many years, for their whole lives, they're now the folks who are needing the blood and are no longer able to donate," said Pamela Tyranski, the blood bank's new chief operating officer. "It's critical to any blood organization to recruit new donors."

Click here for the full story.

Ryan S. of Newark was born nearly three months early, weighing just 2 pounds. Because his digestive system was so immature, Ryan developed a severe infection in his intestines. Doctors were forced to take his blood for testing around the clock, but his body was unable to make new blood. The infection became more severe and Ryan had only a 35% chance of survival.

He needed a blood transfusion immediately. Just minutes after receiving a stranger's blood, Ryan's condition began to improve. It took just one blood transfusion and Ryan was able to recover from his illness and go home. Ryan is now a healthy, energetic 4-year-old.