CHRISTIANA CARE WINS SUMMER BLOOD CHALLENGE FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
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.
