News and Events

Organization recognizes 56,234 local donors who gave blood in 2009

Newark, DE - January is National Blood Donor Month. It is a time to thank donors for saving lives and remind the public about the importance of winter blood donations. There were 56,234 blood donors on Delmarva who gave blood over the past year, helping the Blood Bank avoid blood shortages, even during the most challenging times of year.

"The act of giving blood is a generous and selfless gift. National Blood Donor Month is a great opportunity for us to honor our donors who help save lives all year," said Blood Bank President and CEO Robert L. Travis.

Blood Bank of Delmarva operates 4 blood donor centers throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as 29 established mobile donation locations. Local blood donors contributed 76,560 blood donations in 2009 - keeping the blood supply stable all year. More than 20,000 patients benefitted and no surgeries were cancelled because blood was not available.

"This national donor recognition comes at a time when blood centers across the U.S. struggle to fill blood donation schedules. Holidays, busy travel schedules, inclement weather and illness all combine to make the winter months a time when blood is often in short supply," said Travis. "Because of this, the Blood Bank asks local residents to make a New Year's resolution in 2009 that is easy to keep: to donate blood."

There is no better time to make that resolution a reality 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.

On November 18, 2009, UD competed against eleven other schools in the Colonial Athletic Association to recruit the most blood donors in a one-day blood drive. This has consistently been the Blood Bank's largest one-day blood drive of the year. The university broke Blood Bank records this year with 740 blood donors, and took home second place in the competition. Drexel University won with 859 donors.

THANK YOU to the UD community and CONGRATULATIONS on this tremendous achievement!

84-year-old John Kadtke of Wilmington has been donating blood since his days working at DuPont in the 70's. His blood type is B+ and he remembers being called to donate when his blood was needed.

"One time, many years ago, I donated blood for a patient who had a peptic ulcer and was bleeding in his stomach," said John. "I also remember being called at 4 in the morning to give blood for someone with cancer. I really enjoyed giving blood and helping those patients, and I continued giving blood ever since."

Although John no longer needs to give blood for his membership, he wants to keep giving and does so every few months.

"Just recently, my wife had a stomach condition and she needed four pints of blood to survive," said John. "You never know when you may be faced with this kind of need, and I am proud to do my part to help."

Join John in the lifesaving act of giving blood! Call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Terri Schelhouse with her husband, Billy

"I was very sick as a baby and spent several years off and on from 1962-1964 at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I had severe gastric issues and, although I didn't require any blood transfusions, I had many other treatments. After numerous tests, doctors were not able to diagnose me and they ultimately told my parents to take me home and love me the best they could because I was not going to survive.

Well, needless to say, I did survive and more than forty years later... I am feeling great! I have been a member of Blood Bank of Delmarva since 1980, am a LifeSaver donor, and have given many gallons over the years. My motto is 'you can't pump a check into someone else's body, so donate blood to them.' In today's world, everyone gets so busy that they sometimes forget about the wonderful feeling of helping others. Taking a few moments to donate blood for a sick person is the least I can do."

- Terri Schelhouse
Denton, MD

700 registered blood donors expected at Beach Blanket Blood Drive

Ocean City, MD - Blood Bank of Delmarva is returning to the Ocean City Convention Center (40th Street and Coastal Highway) on Tuesday, January 19 from 10am - 6pm and on Wednesday, January 20 from 9am - 5pm for the 12th Annual Beach Blanket Blood Drive. The drive was established in 1999 to promote blood donation in the winter, a time when blood supplies can dip as donors are kept away by colds and flu, bad weather and vacations.

The Blood Bank is aiming for 700 registered blood donors at the 2-day event, which would break the all-time high of 655 donors set at the 2009 event. Donors will receive a free t-shirt and the great feeling of having helped up to three hospital patients with a portion of their blood. The canteen will feature cookies, candy, donuts and snacks provided by Ocean City restaurants.

To make an appointment to give blood at this drive, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE. Walk-ins will be taken as time allows.

PICTURED: Theresa (middle) with her brother, sisters, mom and dad.

Theresa Walls began donating blood more than 25 years ago after a family friend suffered severe injuries in a car accident.

"I saw the need firsthand and I wanted to help," said Theresa. "Since then, giving blood has become a way of life for me. I love donating on a regular basis and saving lives."

Then, just recently, the need for blood hit close to home again. Theresa's mother, Agnes, was diagnosed with cancer and needed more than 20 units of blood during aggressive chemotherapy treatments.

"Our family members and friends came together to donate blood for mom and make sure she was covered for the cost of replacing the blood she needed," Theresa said. "The blood products that she received gave us another year with her, and they made a world of difference in how she felt during that time. We are so grateful."

Theresa is in the Blood Bank's LifeSaver Program and gives blood every two months for the local patients who need it. Join Theresa in saving lives! Make an appointment to give blood by calling 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or clicking HERE.