OCEAN CITY, Md. – As the classic song goes, “Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the sunshine?” The Town of Ocean City, Maryland and its community of generous donors answered with a resounding yes at the fifth annual Ocean City Summer Blood Drive on Monday, June 9.
Hosted at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, the drive collected 114 lifesaving blood donations.
This marks the fifth consecutive year the Town of Ocean City has partnered with Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) to host this summer blood drive, when the locals are more than willing to take a break from fun in the sun to donate.
“It has become the perfect sequel to the winter blood drive in January, our largest event of the year,” BBD Director of Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat said. “It’s great to be in Ocean City in the summer, when Ocean City shines the most.”
Among the day’s dedicated donors in Ocean City were Joseph “Skin” Delany, Crystal Collins, and Laurie and Guy Sosnowski.
“A priest talked me into donating blood when I was 16, and I liked to see the red fill the tubes,” Delany said, cracking a smile in the café. He’s been donating in Ocean City for the last 24 years.
Collins, who’s donated each year since 2020, adjusted her schedule to keep her streak alive. When a meeting ran late, she coordinated with staff to ensure her blood bag was ready for collection just in time. “I just like to give back,” she said.
If you would like to donate in Ocean City and Worcester County at large this summer, book an appointment at Donor Portal – Blood Bank of Delmarva, or please call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.
