News and Events

Organization recognizes 47,136 local donors who gave blood in 2010

Newark, DE - January is National Blood Donor Month - a time to thank those who give blood, urge others to give blood regularly too, and remind the public about the importance of winter blood donations. There were 47,136 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.

"This national donor recognition is scheduled in January each year at a time when blood centers across the U.S. struggle to fill blood donation schedules. Holidays, busy travel schedules, bad weather and illness all combine to make the winter months a time when blood is often in short supply," said Blood Bank president and CEO Robert L. Travis. "Because of this, the Blood Bank encourages everyone to make a New Year's resolution in 2011 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. Blood Bank of Delmarva operates 4 blood donor centers throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as 30 established mobile donation locations.

Local blood donors contributed 75,030 blood donations in 2010 - keeping the blood supply stable all year. More than 20,000 patients benefitted and no surgeries were cancelled because blood was not available. For more information about the Blood Bank or to schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Newark, DE - In a rare schedule change at Blood Bank of Delmarva, the organization will now be open for platelet donors at the Christiana and Dover Donor Centers on the Sundays after Christmas and New Years Day. The donor centers are usually closed on Sundays, but because the holidays fall on Saturday this year, recruiting "holiday donors" will be essential to avoid platelet shortages over the next few weeks.

"With the need for platelets so high, we cannot be closed two days in a row. It would've created a big hole in the supply since platelets only last 5 days," said Robert L. Travis, Blood Bank president and CEO. "I can only remember opening up donor schedules on a Sunday one other time in our history. It has been amazing to see these schedules fill up quickly with platelet donors who want to help."

Platelet donations are collected using an automated machine that collects the donors' platelets and returns the other blood components, such as red cells. Platelets are cells in the blood that control bleeding and often go to patients suffering from cancer or leukemia.

Many of the donors coming in on Sunday, December 26 and Sunday, January 2 are double and triple platelet donors, meaning their platelet count is high enough to give multiple therapeutic doses at one time.

To make it fun, all holiday platelet donors will be getting a long-sleeve t-shirt that says "I gave the ultimate gift this holiday season - the gift of life." Plus, they will be entered into a raffle for prizes.

Donation schedules on both Sundays at the Christiana and Dover Donor Centers run from 11am to 4pm and are nearly full. To make an appointment to give blood at any Blood Bank location, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

Organization recognizes 47,136 local donors who gave blood in 2010

Newark, DE - January is National Blood Donor Month - a time to thank those who give blood, urge others to give blood regularly too, and remind the public about the importance of winter blood donations. There were 47,136 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.

"This national donor recognition is scheduled in January each year at a time when blood centers across the U.S. struggle to fill blood donation schedules. Holidays, busy travel schedules, bad weather and illness all combine to make the winter months a time when blood is often in short supply," said Blood Bank president and CEO Robert L. Travis. "Because of this, the Blood Bank encourages everyone to make a New Year's resolution in 2011 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. Blood Bank of Delmarva operates 4 blood donor centers throughout Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, as well as 30 established mobile donation locations.

Local blood donors contributed 75,030 blood donations in 2010 - keeping the blood supply stable all year. More than 20,000 patients benefitted and no surgeries were cancelled because blood was not available. For more information about the Blood Bank or to schedule an appointment to give blood, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

It's a common question... "If I just received a flu shot, can I still give blood?"

The answer is yes. There is no waiting period to donate blood after receiving a flu shot. However, if you have cold or flu symptoms, we ask that you wait until you feel better before giving blood. Also, if you are taking antibiotics, you must wait until you have finished.

For answers to other frequently asked questions, click HERE or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

November 17, 2010 - University of Delaware
812 donors registered to give blood - 654 donors were drawn!

After nearly two years, construction crews completed the Christiana Center expansion and staff, board members, volunteers, donors and more got together to celebrate. These are pictures (taken by Creative Image Associates) of the Grand-Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony held on November 19, 2010.

More than 200 staff members, volunteers, and board members attended "Show-it-off" Sunday on November 21, 2010 to celebrate and show the new Christiana Donor Center to their family and friends. The Juggling Hoffmans were also on hand to entertain the kids (and adults!).