EARLEVILLE, Md. – The fifth annual In Honor of Maverick Blood Drive brought the Blood Bank of Delmarva a stellar effort and a fitting conclusion to Maverick Week on Saturday, September 9 at Hacks Point Fire Company.
Jason Painter and Shane Simmons, parents of Maverick Ford Painter, booked 60 donors, and that translated into 50 whole blood sticks and six double red cell donations. That was good for a whopping total of 62 red cell units, Supervisor, Collections Jesse Latham said. He also pointed out that there were just four deferrals and no QNS (quantity not sufficient).
What a great day it was indeed.
Maverick’s blood drive was the usual showing we’ve come to expect from the potent combination of Maverick’s family and friends, Donor Recruitment and Mobile Operations. And it came just in the nick of time as BBD was reeling from a challenging summertime collections period.
As Jason and Shane pointed, a number of the donors on Saturday only donate once or twice a year, that is to say, at the Maverick Blood Drive in autumn and the Out for Blood Drive in the spring. That includes such dear friends and family as Ashley Hambling, Kelly Frey, Cassandra Alexandra and Zachary Barr.
It usually brings out a few of Jason’s colleagues at Terumo as well, including Karen Carey.
“It’s hard to believe Maverick is five years old and officially a handful,” Shane said. “This is our fifth year celebrating Maverick’s birthday with the Blood Bank of Delmarva and, again, the community really stepped up and showed up at the centers as well as at Hacks Point Fire Company [and Terumo}.
“As most of you know, Maverick was born at 25 weeks along with his brother and sister and received eight transfusions through his NICU stay [at ChristianaCare and Nemours},” she added. “So, we are more than happy to give back to Blood Bank of Delmarva as well as the Ronald McDonald House. We just want to thank everybody for another successful year celebrating Maverick’s fifth birthday.”
Both Maverick and his sister, Mylah, both added, “We love you.”
BBD VP of Business Development and Donor Experience Emily Cunningham worked at the blood drive, and she was impressed with the strong community showing. She too thanked donors and staff for making this a success, including Director Nicole Pineault, Account Manager Mary Moore and Communications Specialist Tony Prado as well as Jesse, mascot Delmar the Bloodhound, Bloodmobile Driver Jordan Singletary and Blood Collection Techs Adrea Haughton, Mary Adkins, Akyra Boswell, Jessica Mendez and Toni Ruggiero.
“Saturday’s drive was so nice, and everyone was very happy,” Emily said. “Congratulations!”
Executive Director, Marketing Strategy and Panning Lauren Meyer was also impressed.
“A big congratulations to you and everyone involved in Maverick week!” Lauren said. “I know how much you all worked to make it a success and manage all the elements and Maverick’s family. What a wonderful turnout and coverage!”
Emily also personally thanked volunteer Dave Myers for all of his help, including organizing coolers with blood bags and test tubes and showing magic card tricks to the children at the event. Dave is the man.
Congratulations also to first time donors like Tammy Smithers and Sarah Butkus.
Also, both of Maverick’s grandmothers, Bobbi Edwards and Kathleen Simmons, donated per tradition.
Enjoy the photos from this special event.
