News and Events

View photos from the 2011 CAA Blood Challenge.

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How Blood Donors Saved My Life- By Lee Lee Jones

High School Blood Drive Video - 2011

More than 1,350 blood donors registered in historic 10th annual CAA Blood Challenge

Newark, DE - Blue Hen supporters made history yesterday in a massive blood drive competition. More than 1,350 blood donors registered to give blood at four drives taking place simultaneously on Wednesday, November 16 throughout University of Delaware's campus.

"After tallying the results late last night, we were absolutely thrilled. Yesterday's event surpassed our previous one-day record of 900 registered donors," said Roy Roper, Blood Bank President and CEO. "So many people contributed to this success, and it was an amazing event to witness. Although this is for a fun competition, at the end of the day it's giving patients a second chance at life. I'm proud to be associated with such a fantastic organization and generous community."
Yesterday's blood drive event at UD was part of a competition against the other eleven schools in the Colonial Athletic Association to recruit the most blood donors in one day. UD won the first four years of this annual competition but has lost to Drexel University the past five years. UD was the last school to hold its competition event this year, but official results from the other schools have not yet been released.

The CAA Blood Challenge competition was initiated in 2002 by the University of Delaware. Other competing schools include: College of William and Mary, Hofstra University, Drexel University, George Mason University, Towson University, Northeastern University, Georgia State University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, UNC Wilmington and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Joe McDonough gets prestigious honor after turning a tragic loss into a mission to help others

NEWARK, DE - Joe McDonough of Wilmington, Delaware (photo attached) will become one of only thirteen people in the world to get inducted into the 2011 Fenwal Blood Donation Hall of Fame. Inductees, who span the globe from Canada to China, were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment and passion to donating blood. A brief induction presentation for Joe will take place at the Blood Bank of Delmarva's Christiana Center (100 Hygeia Drive, Newark, DE 19713) on Monday, November 21 at 11:30am while he makes a platelet donation.

Although Joe McDonough has always been a blood donor, his lifelong mission to help others reached new heights after he lost his 14-year-old son, Andrew, to leukemia in 2007. Throughout Andrew's battle with the disease, Joe says blood and platelet transfusions prolonged his son's life and helped him through brain surgery and multiple life-threatening infections. In fact, less than two weeks after Andrew's death, Joe visited Blood Bank of Delmarva to donate blood and thank donors.

"People were surprised that I would thank them," says Joe. "I wanted to let them know that blood donors gave a precious gift to Andrew and our family. Their donations helped him be more comfortable - and to be with us longer. We're extremely grateful for that."

Blood Bank staff members vividly remember how much of an impact Joe had on the donors.

"He walked around the Donor Room telling people about Andrew and thanking donors for giving his family more time with his son. It was very moving," said Margaret Hannan, Blood Bank Senior Manager of Blood Collection. "All of the donors were brought to tears."

Since Andrew's death, Joe and his wife and daughter formed The Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation (www.BePositive.org) which provides financial support to families of children with cancer. The foundation name was inspired by Andrew's positive outlook and his blood type.

Joe now donates platelets several times a year and helps raise awareness for the ongoing need for blood products.

Only three Blood Bank of Delmarva donors have been chosen for this Hall of Fame honor in the thirteen-year history of the program. To see all thirteen 2011 Fenwal Donation Hall of Fame inductees, visit http://www.fenwalinc.com/Pages/DonationHallOfFame.aspx.

UD hosts region's largest one-day blood drive for 10th annual CAA Blood Challenge

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Newark, DE - In just one day, blood donors throughout University of Delaware's campus could save the lives of up to 4,200 people.

A massive blood drive event will take place on Wednesday, November 16 for the 10th annual CAA Blood Challenge. UD is going head-to-head with eleven other schools in the Colonial Athletic Association to recruit the most blood donors in one day. With a goal of recruiting 1,400 blood donors, UD is hoping to land its fifth win in the competition.

"Through our continued partnership with the University of Delaware, we are excited to take this year's event to the next level," said Roy Roper, Blood Bank president and CEO. "We have added several donation locations throughout campus, making it even more convenient for people to get involved. We also raised our goal for the number of blood donors we hope to recruit by 40%. It's time to bring the CAA Blood Challenge title back to Delaware."

UD has won the competition four times but has lost the past five years to Drexel University.

This year, there will be four blood drives held throughout the UD campus, including in Newark at the Trabant University Center Multipurpose Rooms from 7:30am to 8pm, as well as Pencader Hall and the Bob Carpenter Center Club from Noon to 6pm. Donors can also give blood at the Goodstay Center Ballroom on the university's Wilmington campus from Noon to 6pm. All locations will be open to the public.

Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome and will be taken as time allows. To make an appointment to give blood, visit www.delmarvablood.org or call 1 888 8-BLOOD-8. Detailed blood drive information is listed on page 2 or at http://bit.ly/qnhgXR.

The CAA Blood Challenge competition was initiated in 2002 by the University of Delaware. Other competing schools include: College of William and Mary, Hofstra University, Drexel University, George Mason University, Towson University, Northeastern University, Georgia State University, James Madison University, Old Dominion University, UNC Wilmington and Virginia Commonwealth University.

UD had 812 registered blood donors at the 2010 competition. Over the past eight years, the CAA Blood Challenge has resulted in a total of 26,819 units of blood for the schools' local communities.

Blood Drive Locations and Times:
Trabant University Center
Multipurpose Rooms
Wednesday, November 16 from 7:30am - 8pm
17 West Main Street, Newark, DE 19716

Pencader Hall
Room 115 A & B (at bottom level of dining hall)
Wednesday, November 16 from 12pm - 6pm
110 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716

Bob Carpenter Center Club
Wednesday, November 16 from 12pm - 6pm
631 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716

Goodstay Center Ballroom
Wednesday, November 16 from 12pm - 6pm
2800 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806