News and Events

Summer Blood Challenge boosts blood donations during critical summer months

NEWARK, DE - What do employers like DuPont, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Perdue Farms, Johnny Janosik and Bank of America have in common? They, along with about 150 other businesses and organizations on Delmarva, have signed up to save lives through Blood Bank of Delmarva's 8th annual Summer Blood Challenge (SBC).

The SBC 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. This year's competition runs from May 24 to September 4.

"The theme of the SBC is 'Saving a Life Starts Here,' which sends a message to the community that our blood donors are heroes," said Carrie Aiken, spokesperson for Blood Bank of Delmarva. "They can save the lives of up to three patients by giving blood one time, and it all starts with making an appointment to give blood at one of our 33 convenient locations."

SBC participants earn points for their business or organization in the competition by giving blood, becoming a Blood Bank member, and/or recruiting Blood Bank members. To encourage younger donors to get involved, participants who are 35-years-old and under receive an extra point when they join or donate blood.

By earning points, SBC participants are also earning chances to win exciting prizes, including one of two $50 VISA gift cards awarded weekly throughout the Challenge and the grand prizes: a $500 VISA gift card, a 3-day trip for two to Las Vegas and an all-inclusive week vacation for two to a luxury resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Last year, the SBC drew in 6,093 blood donations and 1,970 new Blood Bank members.

SALISBURY, MD - Blood Bank of Delmarva is pleased to announce that Michael Franklin, President and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, has been elected Chair of its Southern Delmarva Regional Board. William Robinson, marketing specialist for the McCready Foundation in Crisfield, has been elected Vice-Chair. Members of this board, along with the Northern and Mid-Delmarva Regional Boards, work in their communities to increase awareness about the need for blood and to encourage people to join and support the Blood Bank.

Both Franklin and Robinson have deep roots in the Southern Delmarva community and bring a lot of experience to their positions on the board. Michael Franklin joined Atlantic General Hospital and Health System as President and CEO in October 2005. Prior to that position, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, MD and has served in healthcare management for more than 20 years.

As a marketing specialist for the McCready Foundation, Bill Robinson promotes healthcare services, works as a community liaison, and manages the Foundation's website. Prior to that position, Robinson worked as a journalist for a daily newspaper in South Carolina. He began his communications career in the late 1970s at his hometown newspaper, The (Salisbury, MD) Daily Times, where he was a general assignment reporter/photographer.

In addition to Franklin and Robinson, there were two new members also elected to the Southern Delmarva Regional Board: Velda Henry, Human Resources Specialist for the Worcester County Board of Education, and Linda Mundt, Vice President of M&T Bank.

Donors are able to help up to four patients with one plasma donation

Dover, DE - Blood Bank of Delmarva has launched a new plasmapheresis program at its Dover Donor Center (221 Saulsbury Road), which will yield a significant increase in its critical plasma supply. Plasmapheresis is an automated collection system which collects just plasma, the liquid portion of whole blood, and returns the red blood cells and platelets to the donor. Plasma is used to help treat a variety of diseases and conditions, such as hemophilia, severe burns, shock, and exposure to rabies.

"With plasmapheresis, donors are able to help up to four patients with just one plasma donation. Adding plasmapheresis machines at the Dover Center will enhance the inventory of plasma to more adequate levels," said Carrie Aiken, Blood Bank spokesperson. "Depending on inventory needs, donors of every blood type may be recruited to donate using this new process. However, a strong focus will be on our donors with AB blood."

Donors with AB positive or negative blood have the universal plasma type, meaning they can donate their plasma to any patient who needs it. Statistically only 3% of the population is AB positive; less than 1% (or one in every 167 people) is AB negative.

The plasmapheresis process was launched at the Blood Bank's Christiana Center three years ago. Since then, there have been 1,347 plasma donations on the automated equipment.

PICTURED: Kailyn, 3, with her little sister, Lauryn

Lynn Holly Oates' three-year-old daughter, Kailyn, is alive today because of blood donors. She was born with a congenital heart defect and needed three open-heart surgeries before she was seventeen months old. Each time she had surgery, she needed blood transfusions.

"Because someone took the time to donate blood, my daughter had what she needed to recover," said Lynn-Holly. "Every time I go to the Blood Bank and give blood, I think about those other people who were sitting in my seat at one time, giving the blood that became a part of Kailyn. I'm extremely grateful."

Lynn-Holly is now a LifeSaver donor and gives blood whenever there's a special need for her blood type. To join Lynn-Holly in saving lives, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE to make an appointment to give blood.