William Penn is one of 70 high schools in Blood Bank of Delmarva's School Blood Drive Program. Last year, there were 188 donors drawn at the annual February drive, more than doubling the results of any other high school blood drive in the program. Mary Beth Kessler, the librarian at William Penn, has helped coordinate the event for 26 years.

"I made my first blood donation in December of 1963 and have been a regular donor since then. I always thought that someone else would need my donation, not my family, until two years ago when my wife was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During aggressive chemo treatments, she became anemic and needed six pints of blood in three separate transfusions. She is A-, so I'm particularly grateful to those donors. I'm A+ and only able to match the number of donations she's used. I think donating blood is the easiest thing in the world to do. There's no substitute for blood. Donors save lives - it's that simple. Just as my own father did many years ago, I've encouraged all four of my children to donate blood. I hope my story will encourage others to get involved too."
- Al Kastner, Blood Bank member and donor from Berlin, MD

View the complete newsletter.

Anita Hunter of Newark, Delaware gave blood every 56 days for many years and has saved hundreds of lives. Now, she says blood donors have returned the favor.

Anita was diagnosed in January of 2010 with colorectal cancer. After surgery to remove part of her colon, chemotherapy and radiation, doctors told her tests were clear. However, about a year later, her carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels spiked, which are markers for colon cancer. She needed another surgery to remove half of her liver and her gallbladder. At that time, she received a transfusion of three units of blood.

Kevin Cottman's twin brother, Eric (shown above at Eric's wedding), needed surgery a few years ago to remove a large benign tumor. During that surgery, a main artery was severed and Eric started bleeding internally.

"He needed 27 pints of blood pumped into his body to survive. There's no question that my brother is alive today because of the generosity of those 27 strangers who took the time to give blood," said Kevin. "Eric was engaged to Nicole before he went into surgery, so not only did the blood save his life, but it had a huge effect on two families. It brought everyone together."

Tony Allen, communications executive for Bank of America's Consumer and Small Business Bank, will give the keynote address. The Rev. John Moore, a Blood Bank of Delmarva board member and assistant director of the United Way Delaware, will offer a selected recitation from Dr. King's "Drum Major Instinct" speech.

Delaware residents are urged to make an appointment now to donate blood during that week. The blood drive's slogan, "What Type of Hero Are You?" is derived from these words from Dr. King, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" Because one pint of blood can save up to three lives, one of the answers clearly is: Donating blood.

Album #1
Album #2