News and Events

WHERE:
Claymont Fire Hall
3223 Philadelphia Pike
Claymont, DE 19703

WHEN:
Monday, December 15
NOON - 6pm

Call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE to request an appointment!

The downtown Wilmington Donor Center is now open 5 days a week.

Monday - 7:30AM - 12:30PM
Tuesday - 12PM - 5PM
Wednesday - 7:30AM - 12:30PM
Thursday - 12PM - 5PM
Friday - 7:30AM - 12:30PM

To make an appointment, click HERE or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

WILMINGTON, DE - At just two-months-old, Ke'Asia M. of Wilmington, Delaware was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. This disease is an inherited blood disorder that disfigures red blood cells, making it difficult for them to pass through small blood vessels. In order to avoid life-threatening complications, Ke'Asia, now 5, needs blood transfusions every three weeks - for the rest of her life.

"We have a lot of family support, but unfortunately that's not enough to keep my daughter healthy," Ke'Asia's mother, Chanta, said. "Blood donors in this area help keep her alive."

Listen to her 60 second radio commercial on WSTW!

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SICKLE CELL AWARENESS MONTH:
September has been recognized as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month since 1975. Sickle cell disease affects 70,000 Americans. 90% are of African descent.

Those with sickle cell disease must receive blood that is closely matched to their own. The best match often comes from African-American donors. Most people with the sickle cell trait qualify as blood donors.

For more information about sickle cell disease, click HERE. To make an appointment to donate blood and help save patients like Ke'Asia, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Competition helps avoid blood shortages during difficult summer months

NEWARK, DE - Christiana Care Health System topped 127 other employers on Delmarva in the 6th annual Summer Blood Challenge (SBC) by bringing in 596 blood donors and 221 new members from May 19 to August 30. The competition encouraged local businesses and organizations to recruit as many blood donors and Blood Bank members as they could this summer, when vacations and outdoor activities contributed to blood shortages in many areas of the U.S.

Overall, the SBC set new records in every category. Participants contributed a total of 5,896 blood donations (11% increase over the 2007 Challenge) and 2,360 new Blood Bank members (19% increase).

Christiana Care and the winners in all other size categories were officially announced at an Awards Party on Thursday.

"It is really exciting for us to recognize everyone in this area who took time out of their busy schedules to donate blood," said Bob Travis, President and CEO of Blood Bank of Delmarva. "Blood usage is high during the summer; auto accidents are one of the biggest reasons. With the support we received, we avoided critical shortages that affected many areas of the country."

The other SBC winners in each size category (based on the number of employees) included: Bridgewater Jewelers; Hebron Savings Bank; Artesian Water; Delaware Claims Processing; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware; Barclays Bank Delaware; and Bayhealth Medical Center.

Bank of America took home the B+ Award, which goes to the company with the most enthusiasm throughout the competition.

John David Myers, of Amtrak, and Fred Hengst, of DelDOT, had the most individual blood donations this summer. They donated 16 and 15 units of platelets respectively, a component of blood critically needed to treat people with leukemia and cancer.

NEWARK, DE - Delmarva residents Wednesday are helping victims of Hurricane Ike with blood sent to the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in Houston. The shipment from Blood Bank of Delmarva included 80 units of O-Positive blood, 20 units of O-Negative, and 15 units of B-Negative.

The shipment was coordinated through America's Blood Centers (ABC), the nation's largest network of non-profit, community blood centers. ABC put out an alert asking for surplus inventory from blood banks across the country. After Blood Bank of Delmarva met local hospital needs, the organization was able to release surplus supplies in 3 blood types.

"Mother Nature can suddenly shut down any blood center in the country and put patients at risk," said Bob Travis, President and CEO of Blood Bank of Delmarva. "We are proud to be an organization that helps others in a time of need, and we're proud of our blood donors who make it possible."

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center and a few other blood centers affected by Hurricane Ike stocked their hospitals prior to the storm, so their supply levels are adequate. But due to lost collections and cancelled blood drives, support will be needed from outside the area for up to 3 weeks until their collections fully resume.

Featured speakers share real life experiences with blood transfusions and need for blood

WHAT:
6th annual Summer Blood Challenge Awards

WHEN:
Thursday, September 18
6pm - 8pm (speakers and awards begin at 7pm)

WHERE:
DuPont Country Club - Crystal Ballroom
1001 Rockland Rd - Wilmington, DE 19803

Top representatives from the 128 competing employers on Delmarva will be present and Summer Blood Challenge (SBC) winners and results will be announced. Six SBC participants have been randomly selected and will be on hand to spin the prize wheel for the top prizes, including a weeklong cruise for two and a $500 gas card.

The featured speakers, from SBC companies, will share their personal reasons for donating blood and being a part of the competition.

- Teresa Cathell (Christiana Care) - Teresa's mother developed an AVM, which is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels. The cluster grew like a tumor and was attached to a main artery in her abdomen. Teresa's mother experienced bleeding several times and needed 19 units of blood to survive.

- Dana Guhl (Christiana Care) - Dana's 20-year-old daughter has undergone several open heart surgeries. She donates frequently because her daughter is dependent on others just like those needing blood.

The Summer Blood Challenge, from May 19 to August 30, encouraged local employers to recruit the most Blood Bank members and blood donors during the summer, when vacations and outdoor activities often contribute to shortages in many areas of the U.S. Together, thousands of employees contributed a total of 5,896 blood donations (11% increase over the 2007 Challenge) and 2,360 new Blood Bank members (19% increase).

Photo, video, and interview opportunities with participants and speakers are available.
Click HERE for a list of 128 competing employers.

At just two-months-old, Ke'Asia M. of Wilmington, Delaware was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. This disease is an inherited blood disorder that disfigures red blood cells, making it difficult for them to pass through small blood vessels. In order to avoid life-threatening complications, Ke'Asia, now 5-years-old, needs blood transfusions every 3 weeks - for the rest of her life.

"We have a lot of family support, but unfortunately that's not enough to keep my daughter healthy," Ke'Asia's mother, Chanta, said. "Blood donors in this area keep her alive."

Ke'Asia's great-grandmother Della has been a Blood Bank LifeSaver donor for more than 30 years.

"My parents gave blood and encouraged me to do the same," Della said. "To see my great grand-daughter and know she's here today because of blood donors... it's truly humbling."

Listen to Ke'Asia's 60 second radio commercial on WSTW!

THE FACTS:
Sickle cell disease affects 70,000 Americans. 90% are of African descent.

Those with sickle cell disease must receive blood that is closely matched to their own. The best match often comes from African-American donors. Most people with the sickle cell trait qualify as blood donors.

Help save patients like Ke'Asia. Make an appointment to give blood!

Click HERE or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

PICTURED: Tom and Joanne in Disney World 2006.

"Since the year 2000, I have given blood as a LifeSaver donor. That was the year my husband, Tom, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He has undergone radiation, chemotherapy and two bone marrow transplants. During those treatments, he received many whole blood transfusions, as well as platelets. I wanted to give something back, especially to the cause that saved Tom's life. Tom is doing well these days. We are both grateful for all the donors who made his recovery possible."

- Joanne R. of Middletown, DE - LifeSaver donor since 2000

To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

John S. of Newark, DE is a happy 2-year-old boy. Most would never guess he has Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), a rare disease that prevents red blood cells from being produced in his bone marrow. John relies on blood transfusions to survive. He has had more than 40 to date.

"Doctors tell me there are only 700 people in the world with DBA. The only cure for the need for regular blood transfusions with the disease is a stem cell transplant," John's mom, Tuesday, said. "A transplant is a possibility in the upcoming five years, but until then, John is able to live his life because of blood donors. I will always be grateful."

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Don Lewis of Wilmington, DE donated blood on December 15, 2007 just like he had done for years. But this time he was offered free diabetes screening with his blood donation. Blood Bank of Delmarva had recently become the first blood center in the country to begin screening for the disease. Don agreed to be screened even though he didn't think he was at risk.

"Boy was I wrong. Blood Bank staff called me at home the next day and told me my blood glucose level was 530, which falls in the critical range," Don said. "To be that high is scary. I had no recognizable symptoms."

Don immediately went to his doctor for blood work and was diagnosed as a type two diabetic. Since his diagnosis, he has changed his diet drastically and takes medication to control the disease.

"I feel lucky that the Blood Bank was able to catch the diabetes before it caused any other serious health problems," Don said. "I was the blood donor who helped save lives, but ironically, the Blood Bank may have saved mine."

PICTURED: Blood Bank's new diabetes screening equipment.

It's a parent's worst nightmare. Bruce and Barbara M. of Dover, DE lived it.

Their 2-year-old daughter, Brianna, was diagnosed with JMML, a rare juvenile leukemia. Brianna suddenly faced many serious treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. For about a year and a half, Brianna needed red cell and platelet transfusions every week.

PICTURED: Brianna in 2004.

"I have been a Blood Bank LifeSaver donor for years and my husband donates platelets. It was a true eye-opener to see the impact of blood donations first-hand," Barbara said. "Even though Brianna lost her life to the disease, blood donors helped my daughter live more comfortably during her treatments and in her final days, and for that I will always be grateful."

-Bruce and Barbara M., Blood Bank members since 1998

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Sickle cell disease affects 70,000 Americans. 90% are of African descent.

Sickle cell patients often need regular blood transfusions to prevent life-threatening complications. Those with sickle cell disease must receive blood that is closely matched to their own. The best match often comes from African American donors.

Schedule an appointment to give blood!
Most people with the sickle cell trait qualify as blood donors.

Download or view the flyer.

Call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Links and Resources:

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America

The Sickle Cell Information Center

The William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund

PICTURED: Judy G. (on right) with family

38-year-old Judy G. has been a Blood Bank LifeSaver donor since high school. For two decades, her blood donations have saved countless lives. But during her visit to give blood in May of 2007, Judy got news that ultimately saved her own life.

It all started when she had her iron levels checked before donating.

"I'll never forget what the phlebotomist told me," Judy said. "Her exact words were 'your iron levels are WAY off.' She told me I couldn't donate that day, which was the first time I was ever deferred for having low iron."

About a month later, Judy contracted pneumonia. Even with antibiotics, she was not recovering. Judy remembered what the Blood Bank phlebotomist told her about her iron levels and mentioned it to her doctor. The doctor was instantly suspicious and sent her for blood work.

The results were devastating - Judy had Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. But because she was able to catch the leukemia early, Judy responded quickly to her treatment. She was in remission just 10 months after being diagnosed.

"I call this divine intervention. Because I stopped in to donate blood that day, I got health information that alerted my doctor to the problem early. Blood Bank of Delmarva truly saved my life."