News and Events

PICTURED: Chanelle with her husband, Ty

Just three weeks after minor surgery, 35-year-old Chanelle J. of Wilmington, Delaware learned that she had contracted MRSA and had developed a potentially fatal colon infection. Fluid was quickly building and, without an emergency operation, her colon would burst.

"After surgery, one doctor told me I would not have survived another 12 hours without removing the infected part of my colon," Chanelle said.

She had an extremely low white and red blood cell count. Chanelle was transfused with two pints of blood the night before her surgery and another two while surgeons operated. Because Chanelle has been a Blood Bank member (since 1992), she was covered for the cost of replacing the blood she received.

Thanks to blood donors and quick medical care, Chanelle was able to recover from the infection and eventually go back home to her husband, Ty, and their two sons, Nile and Paris.

For information on how to join the Blood Bank, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click here.

Newark, DE - Richard D. Pearce was elected the new Chair of Blood Bank of Delmarva's Executive Board of Directors. This board sets policy for the organization. Pearce has served on the board since 1991 and on its Executive Board since 1993, most recently as Vice-Chair.

"I want to help the Blood Bank grow and strengthen its presence in the community," said Mr. Pearce, newly-elected Chair of the Executive Board. "I hope to continue educating the public about the increased need for blood on Delmarva and expand outreach to the younger blood donor population."

Pearce has more than 30 years of experience in the pension industry. He is currently Director of Retirement Services for Standard Retirement Services, Inc. Among many other positions, he has also served as past Vice President of Retirement Services for Invesmart, Inc. and President of Alliance Benefit Group of Delaware, Inc.

Pearce graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance. He and his wife reside in Hockessin, Delaware.

EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS ELECTED:
The following officers were also elected to the Executive Board: Daniel F. Lindley, Vice-Chair; Hinton J. Lucas, Jr., Esq., Secretary; and Mark A. Meister, Sr., Treasurer.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS ELECTED:
The following members were also elected to the Executive Board: Daniel D. Curry, Chair of the Mid-Delmarva Regional Board; Lawrence I. Zutz, Chair of the Northern Delmarva Regional Board; Philip M. Foster; Alan Greenglass, M.D.; Hugh Martin, V.; and Diane M. Sparks.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS RE-ELECTED:
The following members were re-elected to the Executive Board: Richard H. Chaffinch, Chair of the Southern Delmarva Regional Board; Emily W. Cunningham; Paul A. Kaplan, M.D.; and the Honorable Henry W. Supinski.

Blood Bank of Delmarva team wins national double red blood cell donation competition

PICTURED: Blood Bank phlebotomists celebrating the victory!

NEWARK, DE - The Blood Bank of Delmarva "ALYX All-Stars" are champions in the March Match-up Challenge, a competition between 28 blood bank teams nationwide to "slam-dunk" the most double red blood cell (ALYX) donations. The challenge mirrored the NCAA's March Madness and put two brackets of teams against each other for 8 weeks of competition. The Blood Bank team took home first place with the highest percentage of successfully completed double red blood cell donations in the playoffs - at 97%. More than 320 blood donors took part in this competition.

PICTURED: Phlebotomist Kathy Armstrong with an ALYX donor.

Unlike a whole blood donation, an ALYX donation collects two units of red blood cells - the most commonly transfused component - instead of one. Specialized equipment separates the red blood cells and returns the other blood components (plasma and platelets) to the donor. ALYX donations allow the Blood Bank to collect more blood and save more lives during one donor visit.

"Moving from the Sweet Sixteen to the Elite Eight and then on to the finals, this was a fun competition with a serious purpose. We are extremely proud of the outcome," said Margaret Hannan, Regional Supervisor for Blood Bank of Delmarva's Donor Services. "Winning the challenge is a direct result of our loyal blood donors, dedicated staff, and the efficient use of our life-saving resources. Ultimately, it is the patients in this area who benefit."

The March Match-up Challenge was the brainchild of Fenwal, Inc., the company that manufactures ALYX equipment. The Blood Bank has two ALYX machines at its Christiana Center and two at its Salisbury, Maryland center.

PICTURED: Mary C. with her family

Mary C. of Newark, DE is no stranger to Blood Bank of Delmarva. Her mom Helene has worked as a phlebotomist there for more than 20 years. Mary's husband Ed is a longtime "LifeSaver" donor. But even though she understood the Blood Bank's role in the community, Mary never thought she'd one day owe her life to local blood donors.

A few days after being released from the hospital with her newborn son Brian in 1993, Mary experienced several sudden life-threatening complications and she began bleeding - ultimately losing a considerable amount of blood. At the time, Mary was home alone with 3-day-old Brian.

PICTURED: Mary's newborn son Brian in 1993

"When I realized that the bleeding was not going to stop, I grabbed the phone and called my doctor," Mary said. "Within 45 minutes, I lost about 4 pints of blood."

Mary was rushed to the ER at Christiana Hospital.

"It was a surreal moment for me. I had lost so much blood, and I couldn't see anyone but I could hear them," Mary said. "I received 4 pints of blood immediately and as the blood went in I could feel myself getting better."

Thanks to the selfless acts of blood donors, Mary was able to fully recover and go home to her family.

"I know - hands down - that blood donors saved my life," Mary said. "To anyone who has ever given blood, thank you."

Companies and organizations can still join in the competition to save lives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carrie Aiken- 302/737-8405 ext. 778, 302/584-0388 cell

NEWARK, DE - Between May 19 and August 30, businesses and organizations Delmarva-wide will battle it out in the 6th annual Summer Blood Challenge, a competition to recruit the most new Blood Bank members and blood donors. One will be named the "Top Lifesaving Employer" on Delmarva.

With the theme "Fuel for Life, Hero for Life," this year's Challenge is designed to raise awareness of the importance of blood donations, especially during the critical summer months when fewer people typically give blood. Every day on Delmarva, 370 blood donors are needed to keep the blood supply strong.

"Blood is the ultimate fuel," said Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for Blood Bank of Delmarva. "We hold this Challenge each summer when regular blood donors take vacations and donor schedules are harder to fill. It gives us a chance to offer employers and their employees a little added incentive."

That added incentive includes giving out fuel-related gifts each week to participants: FREE GAS. One participant will be selected randomly each day of the Challenge (100 days) and given a $25 gas card. Participants will also earn chances to win great prizes at the end of the competition, like a $500 gas card and a cruise to the destination of their choice ($2000 value).

Here's how employers earn points:

- 1 point for MEMBERSHIP: For each new and reinstated Blood Bank member
- 1 or 2 points* for GIVING BLOOD: For each blood donation at any Blood Bank location (that includes family and friends of your company- be sure to complete a HERO CARD!)
*Points vary based on type of donation.
- 1 point for 5K WALK/RUN (along Wilmington Riverfront on July 19): For each participant
- 2 points for YOUNG BLOOD: For each participant between 17 and 35 years old (that includes becoming a member, giving blood, and the 5K). Why? Younger donors are needed to ensure the future blood supply.

Last year, thousands of employees contributed a total of 5,308 blood donations, a 9% increase over the 2006 Challenge.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN!
Employers that would like to be involved in the 2008 Summer Blood Challenge should call Blood Bank of Delmarva at (302) 737-8405 ext. 887 or email Lisa Gravely at lgravely@bbd.org. To schedule an appointment to donate, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click here.

There are four convenient donor centers:
- Newark (across from Christiana Hospital)
- Wilmington (913 Market Street Mall)
- Dover (221 Saulsbury Road)
- Salisbury (1309 Mt. Hermon Road)

There are also 27 mobile sites across Delmarva.