KENT AND SUSSEX COUNTY STUDENTS HONORED FOR BREAKING BLOOD DONATION RECORDS
Blood Bank of Delmarva held an awards luncheon on Thursday, October 9 from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the Georgia House in Milford to recognize 13 high schools in Kent and Sussex counties for their lifesaving contributions to the 2007-2008 School Blood Drive Program.
Barbara Mallory, of Dover, Delaware, was at the luncheon to share her amazing story about the need for blood. Barbara's 2-year-old daughter, Brianna, was diagnosed with JMML, a rare type of juvenile leukemia. At a very early age, Brianna faced many serious treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. To aid in her recovery, Brianna needed weekly red cell and platelet transfusions for nearly 18 months.
PICTURED: Brianna, 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."
Thanks to schools across the Peninsula, a total of 6,684 donations were collected at 115 school blood drives from September 2007 to May 2008 - up more than 5% from the previous school year. By providing a positive first time experience giving blood, the Blood Bank hopes to establish a relationship with young donors that will last a lifetime. Currently less than 7% of all Blood Bank members are under the age of 35.
The School Blood Drive Program provides 8% of the blood supply on Delmarva. The program started in 1984 with just 140 donations at two schools.
