BLOOD BANK OF DELMARVA CELEBRATES NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH IN JANUARY
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.
