Event honors local childhood cancer survivor Caleb Quick during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
NEWARK, DE – Blood Bank of Delmarva and CityLight partnered once again to host the second annual Hero Day Blood Drive on Sunday, September 7 at Newark Charter School. Held in recognition of childhood cancer awareness month in September, the superhero-themed event collected 53 units of blood from 66 donors, just shy of last year’s inaugural total of 61 units.
The blood drive was inspired by 10-year-old childhood cancer survivor Caleb Quick of Newark, whose successful treatment at Nemours Children’s Hospital was made possible thanks to blood donors. Caleb and his family remain committed to giving back; they even got a head start this September by donating earlier in the month to help offset the post–Labor Day dip in donations. The family also rolled up their sleeves together on July 7, a milestone for Caleb’s sister Chara, who made her very first donation at age 16.
This year’s Hero Day Blood Drive not only rivaled last year’s blood drive success, but was also a celebration of community spirit. “We had superhero meet and greets, facepainting, inflatables, a villain scavenger hunt, cancer slayer truck, balloon twisting, and food trucks,” said Caleb’s mother Naomi. “It was much larger than last year!”
The event also featured support from the Lisa Moseley Foundation for Cancer and Blood Disorders, a hair donation station, and appearances by local leaders including Newark Mayor Travis McDermott, New Castle County Councilwoman Valerie George, and Councilman David Tackett, along with members of the Newark, New Castle County, University of Delaware, and Delaware State police departments, plus local fire companies.[CS1]
At the event, Mayor McDermott read in part his proclamation recognizing September 7, 2025, as Hero Day in the City of Newark, and Councilwoman George read a resolution from New Castle County Council that did the same. As the Mayor noted, childhood cancer has affected many people, including his own family, who dealt with his nephew’s battle with leukemia in 2016.
“Whereas, Delaware’s childhood cancer rates stand at a staggering 12 percent higher than the national average, making it a critical issue in every Delaware community, including the City of Newark… Now, therefore, I, Travis McDermott, Mayor of the City of Newark, Delaware, join in celebrating the second annual Hero Day on Sunday, September 7, 2025.”
The day was also filled with first-time donor stories: local students, family members, and friends stepping up to give blood in honor of Caleb and kids like him. Volunteer groups, including the Avon Grove High School girls’ soccer team, lent their support, helping to make the event a success.
For the second year in a row, 6ABC Action News covered the blood drive, helping spread awareness of the ongoing need for blood donations, particularly for children battling cancer.
