Local EMS teams rally community to donate blood as trauma season and summer blood shortages loom
As the nation celebrates the 50th anniversary of National EMS Week (May 18–24), Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) is teaming up with first responders and medical professionals to host a series of blood drives. The drives will honor the lifesaving work of EMS professionals while helping to shore up the blood supply during one of the most critical times of the year: trauma season.
National EMS Week was established in 1974 by President Gerald Ford to recognize the critical role of emergency medical professionals who are often first on the scene of accidents and first to deliver lifesaving care. This year’s national theme, “WE CARE. FOR EVERYONE,” highlights EMS workers’ commitment to delivering compassionate and equitable care across all communities.
But EMS providers can’t do it alone. In cases of trauma, car accidents, or mass casualty events, blood transfusions are often the difference between life and death, and must be available on the shelves before tragedy strikes.
This is particularly significant in the Delmarva region, as May is the 2-year anniversary of Sussex EMS carrying whole blood on their ground ambulances and administering transfusions in the field. This program aims to improve survival rates for trauma patients by providing pre-hospital blood transfusions. Sussex County EMS hosts a blood drive each month; this month it falls on May 30th.
“Every second counts in a medical emergency” said Dr. Kate Groner, ChristianaCare Department of Emergency Medicine Assistant Chair. “The physicians in the Delaware Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians are proud to work in a state where our EMS teams can provide life-saving blood to patients before they see us in the ER. “DE ACEP is pleased to partner with the Blood Bank of Delmarva and all our prehospital teams in their EMS Week blood drives. Join us and donate blood to make a life-saving impact for our community.”
“National EMS Week is a powerful reminder that a stable and robust blood supply is vital for first responders and emergency medical professionals when responding to traumas, accidents, and natural disasters,” said Antonio Prado, Communications Specialist at Blood Bank of Delmarva. “We hope these blood drives will encourage local residents to make an appointment to donate blood today and take the time to thank their local EMS professionals during this special week!”
Warmer months bring an increase in accidents and trauma-related injuries. Known as “trauma season,” late spring and summer see a rise in emergency room visits and transfusion needs. At the same time, blood donations typically decline due to travel, school breaks, and holiday schedules, creating a perfect storm for shortages.
This year’s National EMS Week blood drives and their locations are listed below:
Trauma Awareness Month Blood Drive
Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Tilghman Island Fire Company, 5979 Tilghman Island Road Tilghman, MD 21671
ChristianaCare, in conjunction with the Delaware Office of EMS
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ChristianaCare Emergency Room Parking Lot, 4755 Ogletown Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713
Seaford Volunteer Fire
Friday, May 23, 2025 from 12:00pm to 6:00 p.m
Seaford Volunteer Fire Company, 302 E King Street, Seaford, DE 19973
Sussex County EMS
Friday, May 30, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sussex County EMS, 21911 Rudder Lane Georgetown, DE 19947
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit delmarvablood.org or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.
To make an appointment at a blood drive near you, donors can visit delmarvablood.org
Media Contact: Lindsey Jordan, [email protected], 302-319-8222