WILMINGTON POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS GIVE BLOOD TO COMMEMORATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SEPTEMBER 11
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.
