News and Events

Perdue employee Glenn Costa is an engineer by trade - but one of his passions is recruiting blood donors. His wife, Cindy, recently lost her life to lung cancer, and Glenn is honoring her legacy by continuing her dedication to service.

As an EMT with the Allen Volunteer Fire Department in Allen, Maryland, Cindy saw the tremendous need for blood to treat patients with every kind of illness. She felt supporting the Blood Bank was a natural extension of her responsibility to give back to her community. She was the one who got Glenn actively involved in donating blood, and they were dedicated Blood Bank members for more than fifteen years.

In March of 2007, Cindy was diagnosed with lung cancer. She needed chemotherapy, radiation, and numerous blood transfusions throughout her treatments.

"Cindy's platelets would get critically low. She would be weak and pale, and you could see how much she needed a blood transfusion," Glenn said. "Those transfusions made an immeasurable difference. The color would return to her face, she'd have more energy, and she got her strength back. There was life again."

Glenn saw how much blood his wife needed and how many other patients needed it too. Without skipping a beat, Cindy's and Glenn's advocacy efforts went into overdrive as family and friends lined up at the Blood Bank to give blood. Glenn credits blood transfusions for allowing his wife to live longer and more comfortably.

As a tribute to Cindy's dedication to saving lives through service, Glenn is encouraging all of his co-workers at Perdue and their families to participate in this year's Summer Blood Challenge (SBC) by giving blood or becoming Blood Bank members. The SBC, in which Perdue is participating for the first time, is a competition among local employers to recruit the most Blood Bank members and donors during the summer months when fewer people typically give blood. The Challenge continues through September 5.

For more information on Blood Bank of Delmarva, the Summer Blood Challenge, or to make an appointment to give blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE. There are four convenient donor centers in Newark, Wilmington, and Dover, Delaware and Salisbury, Maryland. There are also 29 mobile sites across Delmarva.

Saturday, July 18 at the Wilmington Riverfront

One-year-old daughter relies on transfusions every 3 weeks to survive

Salisbury, MD - Salisbury native Patricia Bruce's life changed in a second. Now, she is on a mission - to recruit blood donors to save lives.

"I want everyone to know how important blood donors are to our community. They are amazing people," Patricia said. "They give blood and, in many cases, they never see the patients that they are helping. Local blood donors are keeping my daughter alive, and I am so grateful."

When Patricia's one-year-old daughter, Ashlynn, was born, she had a very low red blood cell count. She experienced congestive heart failure and needed emergency blood transfusions to save her life.

"My heart fell. It was the worst moment ever! My precious baby girl was going through this and, for awhile, I wasn't sure if she was going to make it," Patricia said. "I went in to see her and tell her how much I loved her."

Ashlynn received the transfusions and immediately started to bounce back. Doctors called her the "pink baby" because of all the color that returned to her cheeks. Blood transfusions saved Ashlynn's life then and they continue to keep her alive now. She has been diagnosed with Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), a rare disease that prevents red blood cells from being produced in her bone marrow. She now relies on blood transfusions every 3 weeks to survive.

For more information on DBA, visit www.dbafoundation.org. To make an appointment to give blood and help patients like Ashlynn, call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

WHAT-
Blood Bank of Delmarva's 7th annual Summer Blood Challenge 5K Walk/Run

WHERE-
Frawley Stadium on the Wilmington Riverfront (801 S. Madison Street) - the course is flat and fast!

WHO-
Last year, a record 723 runners and walkers registered for the event.

"This 5K not only brings hundreds of people together for a fun activity, but it also sends them a message about how important blood donations are to the community," said Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for Blood Bank of Delmarva. "This message is especially important in the summer, when fewer people typically give blood."

Runners and walkers competing in the Summer Blood Challenge will earn a point for participating in the 5K. The Summer Blood Challenge is a competition among 149 employers on Delmarva to recruit the most new Blood Bank members and blood donors. The 5K Walk/Run is a good way for participating employees to get involved in the competition and earn points, even if they are not able to donate blood.

WHEN-
Saturday, July 18 - Registration starts at 7:30 am. Race begins at 8:30 am.

All proceeds from the 5K Walk/Run benefit Blood Bank of Delmarva. For more information on the race and to register online, click HERE.

Team to receive trophy on July 6

NEWARK, DE - Blood Bank of Delmarva has become a national champion again in the "Spring Match-Up" Challenge - a competition against other blood centers in the United States to process the most double red blood cell donations (ALYX) procedures per instrument. There will be a brief ceremony and celebration on Monday, July 6 at Noon at the Blood Bank's Christiana Center (100 Hygeia Drive in Newark).

Unlike a whole blood donation, an ALYX donation collects two units of red cells - the most commonly transfused component - instead of one. It allows the Blood Bank to collect more blood and save more lives during one donor visit.

"Taking home the trophy for the second year in a row makes us so proud. It's a direct result of our loyal blood donors, dedicated staff, and the efficient use of our lifesaving resources," said Margaret Hannan, Regional Supervisor for Blood Bank of Delmarva's Donor Services. "Ultimately, the patients in this area benefit."

The Challenge mirrors the NCAA's March Madness and puts two brackets of blood bank teams against each other for 8 weeks of competition. Blood Bank of Delmarva's team, "The Smart ALYX from Delmarva," and local donors won for the second year in a row. More than 300 blood donors contributed to the win.

The Spring 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 Donor Center and two at its Salisbury Donor Center. The specialized equipment separates the red cells and returns the other blood components (plasma and platelets) to the donor.

For more information on how to become an ALYX donor or to make an appointment to give blood, click HERE or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.