NEW RECORD FOR BLOOD DONATIONS IN 2008
Blood Bank celebrates donor efforts during National Blood Donor Month this January
Newark, DE - As a new year begins, Blood Bank of Delmarva has many people to thank. Blood donors contributed a record 82,928 blood donations in 2008 - keeping the blood supply stable all year. More than 20,000 patients benefitted and no surgeries were cancelled because blood was not available.
Throughout the month of January, the Blood Bank and local blood transfusion recipients are thanking those blood donors through the annual celebration of National Blood Donor Month.
"Without the generosity of our donors, thousands of patients would not have been given a second chance at life last year," said Blood Bank President and CEO Robert L. Travis. "National Blood Donor Month is a great opportunity for us to recognize the regular blood donors who support us and keep blood on hospital shelves, even during challenging times of the year."
Holidays, busy travel schedules, inclement weather and illness all combine to make the winter months a time when blood is often in short supply. Because of this, the Blood Bank asks local residents to make a New Year's resolution in 2009 that is easy to keep: donate blood.
"January is a time of good intentions. It's a time when people reevaluate what is important to them and what they want from the coming year," said Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for Blood Bank of Delmarva. "People make all kinds of New Year resolutions - to lose weight, quit smoking, pay off debt - but what better resolution is there than to commit to saving lives just by taking an hour to give blood?"
And there is no better time to start than during National Blood Donor Month which begins January 1. For more information about the Blood Bank or to schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.
