News and Events

Record-breaking number of blood donations collected during 2010-2011 season

NEWARK, DE - Blood Bank of Delmarva will hold four awards luncheons throughout Delmarva next week to recognize the seventy local high schools that contributed to the success of the 2010-2011 School Blood Drive Program. (Luncheon dates, times and locations are listed below.) The luncheons, which also serve as the official kick-off to this year's school program, are attended by students and school advisors who will play a major role in organizing high school blood drives this season.

From September 2010 to May 2011, high schools and colleges hosted a record 130 blood drives resulting in 7,774 units of blood. That is up 3% from the previous record of 7,542 donations collected during the 2009-2010 school year. Each unit of blood can save up to 3 lives.

"When a school blood drive is successful, it is due in large part to the support of the school administration and the students. Students help coordinate blood drives at their schools by promoting the drive, scheduling donors, volunteering on the day of the drive, and giving blood," said Kelly Sakiewicz, Blood Bank School Blood Drive Coordinator. "We are grateful for their enthusiasm and dedication to growing the program each year."

The following schools took top honors in their region for the largest number of blood donors last school year:

NEW CASTLE COUNTY
First Place: William Penn High School - 218 donors
Second Place: Delcastle Technical High School - 189 donors
Third Place: St. Mark's High School - 185 donors

CECIL COUNTY
First Place: Bohemia Manor High School - 208 donors
Second Place: Rising Sun High School - 140 donors
Third Place: North East High School - 120 donors

KENT COUNTY
First Place: Lake Forest High School - 225 donors
Second Place: Smyrna High School - 152 donors
Third Place: Polytech High School - 124 donors

SUSSEX COUNTY
First Place: Sussex Technical High School - 178 donors
Second Place: Seaford High School - 147 donors
Third Place: Woodbridge High School - 144 donors

LOWER EASTERN SHORE
First Place: Parkside High School - 181 donors
Second Place: Stephen Decatur - 168 donors
Third Place: Salisbury Christian School - 112 donors

UPPER EASTERN SHORE
First Place: Colonel Richardson High School - 126 donors
Second Place: North Dorchester High School - 96 donors
Third Place: Queen Anne's County High School - 80 donors

The other participating high schools and their contributions are listed below.

AWARDS LUNCHEONS HELD THROUGHOUT DELMARVA
There will be four awards luncheons held throughout Delmarva this week. Each event runs from 11:30am to 1:30pm. The best time for pictures and interviews will be during the first half of the event.

Kent & Sussex County Schools: Monday, October 3
Shawnee Country Club - 6152 S. Rehoboth Blvd. (South Business Rt. 1), Milford, DE 19963

New Castle & Cecil County Schools: Tuesday, October 4
Bella Vita at Cavaliers Country Club - 100 Addison Drive, Newark, DE 19702

Upper Eastern Shore & Kent County, MD Schools: Wednesday, October 5
Waterview Grill at the Easton Club - 28449 Clubhouse Drive, Easton, MD 21601

Lower Eastern Shore Schools: Thursday, October 6
The Fountains - 1800 Sweetbay Drive, Salisbury, MD 21804

For more detailed information about the School Blood Drive Program or the contributions from individual schools, contact Carrie Aiken at (302) 737-8405 ext. 778.

OTHER PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND NUMBER OF BLOOD DONATIONS
A.I. duPont High School (60)
Appoquinimink High School (75)
Cecil County School of Technology (82)
Caesar Rodney High School (90)
Cambridge South Dorchester High School (61)
Campus Community School (29)
Charter School of Wilmington (54)
Concord High School (95)
Crisfield High School (38)
Dickinson High School (45)
Delmar High School (59)
Dover High School (34)
Easton High School (61)
Elkton High School (52)
Glasgow High School (46)
Hodgson Vocational Technical High School (49)
Holly Grove Christian School (34)
Howard High School of Technology (47)
Milford High School (59)
Mt. Pleasant High School (50)
Newark High School (55)
Indian River High School (101)
James Bennett High School (96)
Kent County High School (75)
Laurel High School (64)
Mardela High School (50)
Middletown High School (137)
North Caroline High School (69)
Padua Academy (50)
Perryville High School (46)
Pocomoke High School (103)
Salisbury School (27)
Sanford School (35)
Snow Hill High School (62)
Sussex Central High School (51)
Tower Hill School (38)
Ursuline Academy (32)
West Nottingham (28)
Wilmington Friends School (37)
Wilmington Christian School (38)
Worcester Prep (27)
Wicomico High School (108)

Awards Parties to be held on September 27 & 28 to honor winners, feature local teenager alive today because of blood donors

Newark, DE - The 9th annual Summer Blood Challenge (SBC), a competition among local employers to recruit the most Blood Bank members and donors during the summer, just ended on September 11 and has had record-breaking results. This year, 186 local employers participated in the competition, bringing in 8,611 blood donations and 1,691 new Blood Bank members. That's a blood donation increase of 20% over last year's SBC.

"The growth that we've seen with this competition has been phenomenal. The SBC helps raise awareness of the need for blood at a time when many potential donors are away on vacation and there are no school blood drives, which provide about 11% of the local blood supply," said Roy Roper, President and CEO of Blood Bank of Delmarva. "We're so proud to have such a dedicated, loyal legion of blood donors who take time out of their busy schedules to donate blood and ensure that local hospitals have what they need to save lives."

Because of the summer competition and a high level of support from local employers, Blood Bank of Delmarva has been able to avoid serious summer blood shortages that often affect other areas of the country.

Top Lifesaving Employers and Donors to be honored on September 27 & 28
Representatives from participating SBC businesses and organizations will be recognized at Awards Parties in Newark, DE and Salisbury, MD. The Awards Party in Newark will take place on Tuesday, September 27 from 6pm to 8pm at Deerfield Country Club (507 Thompson Station Road). The Salisbury event will be on Wednesday, September 28 from Noon to 1:30pm at The Fountains Wedding & Conference Center (1800 Sweetbay Drive).

17-year-old Lee Lee Jones of Delmar, DE will be the featured speaker at both events. Lee Lee credits blood donors for giving her a second chance at life after she was involved in a near-fatal car accident last summer. She lost more than a third of her blood volume before she was airlifted to the hospital, and it took multiple surgeries and blood transfusions to save her life. Lee Lee and her family will share their story and thank SBC participants for their commitment to the cause.

In addition to recognizing participants and top employers and donors at the two Awards Parties, there will also be winners named in the competition's Grand Prize Giveaway. Seven SBC participants have been randomly selected as finalists and have been invited to the Awards Parties to find out what they've won. Prizes include Fusion Fitness Gift Packs, two NASCAR tickets to the October race in Dover, a $500 VISA gift card, a trip for two to New York City and an Alaskan Cruise.

2011 Summer Blood Challenge Participant List

Audwin Odom of Wilmington, Delaware, shown here with his son, almost lost his arm after he was critically injured in a workplace accident. Blood donors saved his life.

It was July 2, 1996. Audwin was working as an electrician at a local company installing a light fixture. The fixture suddenly slipped and as it came down it sliced through his arm severing veins and muscles. Audwin had severe lacerations and lost nearly 3 pints of his blood.

As he was rushed into surgery, Audwin was told that his injuries were extremely serious. Surgeons told him he was going to need blood transfusions immediately and that he could lose his arm completely or never regain usage of his arm.

When Audwin woke up, he was relieved to learn that he would not lose his arm. Thanks to quick medical attention and blood donated by strangers, he was on the road to recovery.

"You never know when an accident will happen that will change your life. It took 4 years but I have been able to recover use of my arm again. I'm so grateful to those who donated the blood that saved my life," said Audwin. "I always tell my story to others. When you donate blood, you know that someone will live because of you. It's an amazing feeling."

Audwin went back to school a couple years after the accident and now works as a Drug and Alcohol counselor for Horizon House in Wilmington, DE. He promotes blood donation among all his co-workers, friends and family. Despite his arm injury, Audwin is able to donate regularly from his other arm and he does so twice a year.

To join Audwin in giving blood and saving lives, call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or click HERE.

This donation event is part of the Blood Bank's "Days of Remembrance" held from September 8 - 11

NEWARK, DE - Although Blood Bank of Delmarva locations are typically closed on Sundays, the organization is opening its Christiana Donor Center on Sunday, September 11 - the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks - to provide the public with an opportunity to honor the heroes of 9/11 by saving lives. This donation event is part of the Blood Bank's "Days of Remembrance" being observed from September 8 to September 11.

"In the days leading up to this solemn day in our nation's history, giving blood continues to serve as a meaningful way to bring our community together for a good cause and save the lives of those in need today," said Roy Roper, Blood Bank President and CEO. "It's uplifting to watch Americans step up when their help is needed. The reality is that small emergencies happen every day, and blood donors are needed now more than ever before. This year, about 20,000 local patients will need blood to survive. More than 350 blood donors are needed every day to maintain the blood supply for those patients."

In addition to the donation event at the Christiana Donor Center on September 11, the Blood Bank has three other "Days of Remembrance" events planned:

Thursday, September 8: Dover International Speedway and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino are hosting a special 9-11 Memorial Blood Drive from 9am to 3pm in the Rollins Center Ballroom. All donors will get the chance to take a pace car ride around the Monster Mile with track historian George Keller.

Friday, September 9: "Wilmington Police and Firefighter Day" will be held at the Wilmington Donor Center at 913 N. Market Street. The donation schedule goes from 7:30am to 1:30pm.

Saturday, September 10: The Salisbury Donor Center at 1309 Mt. Hermon Road in Salisbury, MD has appointments available from 7:30am to 2:30pm.

Sunday, September 11: The Christiana Donor Center at 100 Hygeia Drive in Newark, DE has appointments available from 11am to 2pm.

Donors at all "Days of Remembrance" events will receive a commemorative, patriotic-themed lapel pin and will be entered to win a "Liberty Remembers" print by local artist Larry Anderson. Schedules are limited. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment in order to ensure a time slot. For information on all donation locations or to make an appointment to give blood, visit www.delmarvablood.org/donate or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

"Days of Remembrance" Bring Summer Blood Challenge to a Close
The "Days of Remembrance" donation events bring the 9th annual Summer Blood Challenge (SBC) to a close. The SBC is a competition among 183 local employers to recruit the most blood donors and Blood Bank members during the summer months when typically fewer people give blood.

With a patriotic theme this year, the competition helps avoid blood shortages that hit other areas of the country by encouraging people to incorporate blood donation into their recognition of the season's patriotic holidays and summer traditions. SBC participants earn chances to win exciting prizes, including NASCAR tickets to the October race in Dover, a $500 VISA gift card, a trip to New York City and an Alaskan Cruise.

Last year, 171 employers participated in the SBC, which resulted in 7,150 blood donations and 1,980 new Blood Bank members. For more information on this year's Summer Blood Challenge, visit www.2011sbc.com.

This donation event is part of the Blood Bank's "Days of Remembrance" held from September 8 - 11

WILMINGTON, DE - Blood Bank President and CEO Roy Roper will be welcoming Wilmington Mayor James Baker, Chief of Staff Bill Montgomery, and city police officers and firefighters to the Downtown Wilmington Donor Center at 913 North Market Street for "Wilmington Police and Firefighter Day" on Friday, September 9 at 11am. This donation event is part of the Blood Bank's "Days of Remembrance" being recognized from September 8 to September 11 in honor of the heroes of 9/11.

"A decade ago, news of the devastating terrorist attacks began to circulate and hundreds of donors lined up at donors centers to give blood. It's that spirit to help that continues every day here at the Blood Bank," said Roy Roper. "The reality is that small emergencies happen every day. Blood donation continues to serve as a meaningful way to commemorate a tragic day in our nation's history by saving the lives of those in need today."

This year, more than 20,000 local patients will need blood transfusions to survive. Mayor Baker said he is proud of his employees in public safety for setting a good example for others.

"The men and women of our police and fire department are faced with countless situations where people in the community need their help," said Mayor Baker. "Giving blood is one of the easiest ways to save a life and make a difference, and it's important for our officers and firefighters to demonstrate that."

Other "Days of Remembrance" Donation Events Scheduled
To provide donors with an opportunity to honor the heroes of 9/11 by saving lives, the Blood Bank is extending donation hours at the locations listed below from September 8 to 10 and opening the Christiana Donor Center on Sunday, September 11. All donors at these locations will receive a commemorative, patriotic-themed lapel pin and will be entered to win a "Liberty Remembers" print by local artist Larry Anderson. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood as schedules are limited. For information on all donation locations or to make an appointment to give blood, visit www.delmarvablood.org/donate or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8.

Thursday, September 8: Dover International Speedway and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino are hosting a special 9-11 Memorial Blood Drive from 9am to 3pm in the Rollins Center Ballroom. All donors will get the chance to take a pace car ride around the Monster Mile with track historian George Keller.

Friday, September 9: "Wilmington Police and Firefighter Day" will be held at the Wilmington Donor Center at 913 N. Market Street. The donation schedule goes from 7:30am to 1:30pm.

Saturday, September 10: The Salisbury Donor Center at 1309 Mt. Hermon Road in Salisbury, MD has appointments available from 7:30am to 2:30pm.

Sunday, September 11: The Christiana Donor Center at 100 Hygeia Drive in Newark, DE has appointments available from 11am to 2pm.

"Days of Remembrance" Bring Summer Blood Challenge to a Close
The "Days of Remembrance" donation events bring the 9th annual Summer Blood Challenge (SBC) to a close. The SBC is a competition among 183 local employers, including the city of Wilmington, to recruit the most blood donors and Blood Bank members during the summer months when typically fewer people give blood. With a patriotic theme this year, the competition helps avoid blood shortages that hit other areas of the country by encouraging people to incorporate blood donation into their recognition of the season's patriotic holidays and summer traditions. SBC participants earn chances to win exciting prizes, including NASCAR tickets to the October race in Dover, a $500 VISA gift card, a trip to New York City and an Alaskan Cruise.

Last year, 171 employers participated in the SBC, which resulted in 7,150 blood donations and 1,980 new Blood Bank members. For more information on this year’s Summer Blood Challenge, visit www.2011sbc.com.

Donors will receive a free pace car ride around the Monster Mile with track historian George Keller

DOVER, Del. - A decade ago, our country's foundation was shaken down to its core with the tragic events of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Ten years later, Dover International Speedway and Dover Downs Hotel & Casino continue to honor the victims of September 11 with its 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive, this year held on September 8.

Dover International Speedway started this annual tradition in 2006 when it first took part in the NASCAR Foundation Blood and Marrow Drive, and will continue it this year, with the help of the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

"It's remarkable and inspiring to watch Americans come together in the wake of a national disaster. That's exactly what happened ten years ago. As news of the devastating terrorist attacks began to circulate, hundreds of donors lined up at our centers to give blood," said Roy Roper, president and CEO of the Blood Bank of Delmarva. "It's that spirit to help that continues every day here at the Blood Bank. The reality is that small emergencies happen every day. This year, more than 20,000 people in our area will need blood transfusions to survive. The Dover International Speedway 9/11 blood drive continues to serve as a meaningful way to commemorate a tragic day in our nation's history by saving the lives of those in need today."

Special to this year's blood drive, all donors will receive the opportunity to take a pace car ride around the Monster Mile with track historian George Keller, who has not missed a NASCAR race weekend in Dover since the track opened in 1969.

The 9/11 Memorial Blood Drive on September 8 is open to the public and will be held from 9am to 3pm in the Rollins Center Ballroom at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. To make an appointment to give blood, call Blood Bank of Delmarva at 1 888 8-BLOOD-8 or visit www.delmarvablood.org/donate. Although appointments are strongly encouraged, walk-in donors are welcome and will be taken as time allows. The Blood Bank plans on filling a schedule of 75 blood donors for the day.