DOVER, DE – Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) was joined by Dover City Council Members, state elected officials, and healthcare and EMS leaders for a press conference held on Wednesday, January 7th, at Blood Bank of Delmarva’s Dover Donor Center in recognition of National Blood Donor Month and the ongoing need for blood donations across the region.
January is historically one of the most challenging months for the blood supply, as holiday travel, winter weather, and seasonal illness often disrupt donations while patient needs remain constant. The annual observance serves as a reminder of the lifesaving impact of routine blood donation.
The event raised awareness about the importance of blood donation, shared firsthand perspectives from first responders, and encouraged the community to make blood donation a priority in the New Year. BBD Vice President Kristin Frederick and Medical Director Dr. Bruce Sachais urged Delmarva residents to donate blood with BBD to sustain local hospital and paramedic inventories.
“The blood donations we collect support patients at every stage of life, from newborns to trauma victims to cancer patients. Without warning, any one of us could need a blood transfusion,” Frederick said. “That is why our dedicated donor base is very important, and we are so thankful for their commitment.”
Frederick noted several factors that routinely strain the blood supply this time of year, including holiday travel, seasonal illnesses that limit donor eligibility, and winter weather that can disrupt blood drives and donor center operations.
“These factors cause sharp declines in donor turnout while the demand for blood products from our healthcare system remains the same, if not higher,” she said.
Dr. Sachais, Chief Medical Officer for New York Blood Center Enterprises, emphasized the importance of consistent, year-round donation.
“Blood donors are needed every day, not just during a blood emergency or after a disaster,” Dr. Sachais said. “That’s why BBD created its Loyal Lifesaver Programs, which recognize donors who give regularly throughout the year and help ensure a stable blood supply for our region.” Learn more about BBD’s donor loyalty programs here.
Among the guest speakers were Dover City Councilwoman Tricia Arndt, who donated four times in 2025, and Dover City Councilman Brian Lewis, who presented a certificate to BBD leaders recognizing National Blood Donor Month.
The press conference also recognized Delaware’s innovative and lifesaving prehospital transfusion program. Speakers included Delaware EMS Medical Director Dr. Robert Rosenbaum who led the effort to implement prehospital blood in the state in partnership with BBD, Delaware State Police Aviation Unit Captain Jeff Whitmarsh, Kent County Director of Public Safety John Tinger and Sussex County Director of Public Safety Robert Murray.
Captain Whitmarsh noted the power that blood donors have, acknowledging them as the “unseen crew member” when the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit patients are transfused and flown to the level one trauma center, while Tinger and Murray spoke of how patients that ordinarily would not have survived have now been saved because of prehospital blood in Kent County and Sussex County, respectively. Dr. Rosenbaum and Murray both also acknowledged Sussex County EMS Training Coordinator Jordan Dattoli’s pivotal role in bringing prehospital blood to fruition statewide.
“Delaware’s Office of EMS and paramedic agency leaders recognized that developing the ability to carry and transfuse whole blood to injured and bleeding patients in the field could save lives,” Dr. Rosenbaum said. “We worked with Blood Bank of Delmarva in 2023 to become early adopters of this uncommon and complicated capability. In 2024, Delaware became the first state where every prehospital paramedic and every paramedic agency could treat patients with whole blood.
“Our paramedics have already seen critically injured patients survive and recover in situations where survival would not have been expected before whole blood was added to paramedic treatment protocols,” he added. “We encourage donors to help meet the challenge of maintaining a full supply of blood, knowing that their donation helps patients in so many areas and now includes early treatment by paramedics before patients have arrived for hospital care.”
To date, BBD’s prehospital partners have transfused over 450 units of whole blood in the field.
To conclude the event, BBD Marketing Manager Jason Burlew shared his story of how transfusions saved his life during a seven-hour surgery, and he gave out puffer vests to Kristin Frederick, Joanna Arat, Chris Resler, and Councilwoman Arndt for being all seasons, whole-blood donors! Last, but not least, State Representative Kerri Evelyn Harris attended the press conference and pledged to spread the word about National Blood Donor Month on her social media channels. And, blood donors Christopher and Paige Rubino attended the conference and donated blood afterward. Their daughter, who needed blood transfusions at birth, inspired them to donate.
BBD currently has just a three- to four-day supply of blood overall, leaving little margin for emergencies, severe weather, or sudden spikes in hospital demand. Supplies of O-negative, O-positive, and B-negative blood are critically low, with only a one- to two-day supply on hand, and donors are urgently needed.
In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. Blood donors can donate every 56 days, and platelet donors can give up to twice per month. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.
