Blood Bank asks young to become 'members'
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."
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