News and Events

The annual Summer Blood Challenge did not disappoint! It never does. Despite the economy, 149 businesses on Delmarva and their employees supported the 7th annual Summer Blood Challenge competition this year. With the theme, "Summertime and the Giving is Easy," the Challenge proved that folks on Delmarva care about their communities.

Plus, the Blood Bank is now on Facebook, the Mayor of Wilmington helps promote blood donation, the organization celebrates the 25th anniversary of students saving lives, blood donors keep a one-year-old baby in Salisbury alive, updates on the major expansion project at the Christiana Center, and much more.

View the complete newsletter.

900 blood donors expected at 8th annual CAA Blood Challenge November 18

Newark, DE - With a goal of 900 blood donors in one day, the University of Delaware is hoping to land its fifth win in the 8th Annual CAA Blood Challenge on Wednesday, November 18 from 7:30am to 8:00pm. UD will hold the all-day blood drive in the Trabant University Center's multipurpose rooms at 17 West Main Street in Newark.

The Challenge, which pits the University of Delaware against eleven other schools in the Colonial Athletic Association, requires each college or university to pick one day during the fall to conduct a campus-wide blood drive. The school with the most blood donations wins. Last year, UD brought in 604 blood donations.

"This competition is fun, but beyond that, it's a sight to see. Hundreds of students pour into the Trabant Center for more than 12 hours to give of themselves and save lives. It's truly inspiring," said Robert L. Travis, Blood Bank president and CEO.

All Blood Bank of Delmarva donor centers are closed during the CAA Blood Challenge and most employees work at the event in some capacity.

The competition was initiated in 2002 by the University of Delaware. UD won the first four years of the Challenge but was narrowly defeated by Drexel University for the last three. The other competing schools include: College of William and Mary, Hofstra University, Drexel University, George Mason University, Towson University, Northeastern University, Georgia State University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, UNC Wilmington, and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Over the past seven years, the CAA Blood Challenge has raised a total of 17,728 units of blood for the schools' local communities.

Laurel Baird donates blood every two months in memory of her son, Doug.

"I have O negative blood, so my blood can go to any patient who needs it," said Laurel. "I donate platelets and red blood cells as often as I can for the people facing a sudden emergency situation or a life-threatening illness, like Doug did."

Laurel with her son, Doug, in 2002

Doug, with his cat, BooBoo

Doug was diagnosed with bone cancer and ultimately acute myeloid leukemia. At one point during his treatment, he needed an emergency transfusion of twenty units of platelets and ten units of red blood cells.

"Blood products made my son stronger and more comfortable while he was in the hospital battling leukemia and they prolonged his life," Laurel said. "I will never forget about the constant need for blood donors, and I will continue donating in memory of Doug and for all the children and adults who need my blood."

To join Laurel in the lifesaving act of giving blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

PICTURED: Paul with his son, Daniel, as the Phillies won the 2008 World Series

"I've been donating blood for more than 20 years. When ALYX (double red cell donation) became available, since I'm O+ and a "good bleeder," I was happy to participate.

Every time I give blood, many gracious volunteers and staff remind me that I am saving lives. What they may not realize is that I do it in part to save my own life. Like most people, my life is hectic and often seems completely out of control. I often worry how the stress will affect my life expectancy. When I give blood, it affords an opportunity to not only help others in need, but to have some time to slow down my motor and to reflect on the many blessings in my life. I've been told that one of the side effects of giving blood is a general feeling of well-being. For me, this is particularly true and it lasts for some time. I urge others to take advantage of this rare "win-win" opportunity regularly!

I consider it an honor to be among the legions of people who give blood. Many thanks to Blood Bank of Delmarva for the great work they do!"

Paul Keely
Newark, DE

Blood Bank president and CEO Bob Travis accepts the award on behalf of the organization.

Newark, DE - Blood Bank of Delmarva is being honored at the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) 20th Anniversary Diabetes Gala on November 6, 2009 at 7:00pm at the Deerfield Golf & Tennis Club for being the first blood bank in the country to offer diabetes screening to every blood donor. The ADA chooses an honoree based on their commitment to helping raise awareness about the seriousness of the diabetes epidemic in the community.

"This is truly an honor. The fact that we are able to play a role by offering glucose screening to blood donors was a very significant departure for us," said Blood Bank president and CEO, Robert L. Travis. "Blood donors come into our centers to save a life. And now, we've had the opportunity to potentially save theirs. That's a great arrangement."

Program Identifies 5,044 People At-Risk for Diabetes in Two Years
The Blood Bank's diabetes screening program recently passed the two year mark. During that time, more than 102,000 blood donations were screened. Of that number, 5,044 individuals were found to have elevated glucose levels, and 62 people were in the dangerous category of over 400. Test results were confidentially posted on the Blood Bank website. Those donors with elevated glucose levels who did not retrieve them through the website received a call from the organization. All were referred to their physicians for follow-up, some more urgently than others.

The non-fasting blood glucose test is voluntary and is offered to donors at no charge.

"I am extremely proud that Blood Bank of Delmarva was first to institute this glucose screening for blood donors," said Travis. "I am also pleased to say that other blood banks around the United States have followed us by instituting similar programs. This is just the beginning of glucose screening programs that will reach hundreds of thousands of individuals each year."

Travis conceived the idea for a screening program after hearing a presentation on the diabetes problem. Travis formed a committee of experts from Christiana Care Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, the ADA, and the Delaware Division of Public Health to help advance the project.

According to the ADA, more than 75,000 people locally have diabetes. About one-third of them are "hidden diabetics" (more than 6 million nationwide) and are unaware they have the disease. Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death by disease, with more than 400,000 Americans dying from its complications each year. Those can include problems related to the heart, kidneys, eyes, feet, nerves, teeth, and gums. If detected early, diabetes is treatable.

Diabetes Screening Program Planning Committee
M. James Lenhard, M.D., director of the Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Center, Christiana Care Health System, Committee Chair; Robert L. Travis, president and CEO, Blood Bank of Delmarva; Scott Hall, medical director, Blood Bank of Delmarva; Prakash Seshadri, M.D., Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases Center, Christiana Care Health System; Paul Kaplan, M.D., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware; Donald Post, Delaware Division of Public Health; and Darrin Anderson, American Diabetes Association.

About Blood Bank of Delmarva
Blood Bank of Delmarva is a non-profit, community service program that provides blood for the 17 hospitals in Delaware and on Maryland's Eastern Shore. More than 350 blood donors are needed every day to meet the needs of patients at those hospitals. For more information about the Blood Bank or to request an appointment to give blood, click HERE or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

About the American Diabetes Association of Delmarva
The American Diabetes Association of Delmarva's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The organization leads the fight against the deadly consequences of the disease. It funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes, delivers services to hundreds of communities, provides objective and credible information, and gives a voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes.