Blood Bank of Delmarva platelet donor Dave Myers inducted into Fresenius Kabi National Blood Donation Hall of Fame
Fresenius Kabi, BBD present Myers with official recognition
STANTON, DE – Blood Bank of Delmarva and Fresenius Kabi announced the induction of longtime platelet donor and volunteer J. David Myers into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame at a special ceremony held Wednesday, October 30 in the Christiana Donor Center.
Every year, Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company that specializes in a variety of products and services, including medical technologies for transfusions and cell and gene therapies, inducts “heroes” into its National Blood Donation Hall of Fame for exemplary commitment to donating blood and/or encouraging blood donation.
Myers, a longtime donor, was presented with a plaque and photo frame, both provided by Fresenius Kabi. He will also appear in the prestigious, 2025 Fresenius Kabi National Blood Donation Hall of Fame calendar upon its publication.
Fresenius Kabi Manager, National Accounts Todd Dickensheets noted that this is the first time in 13 years that a donor from BBD was inducted into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame. He is the fourth donor from Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) to be inducted. This list includes:
- Earle Walker 2004
- Robert Bruner 2007
- Joseph McDonough 2011
- Dave Myers 2024
“This is a big deal, an historic day, indeed,” BBD Executive Director Steven Corse said. “Dave Myers has been donating with us for decades, a total of 341 times, and the last one was just on October 21. Once Dave saw that his platelets could go to Nemours Children’s Hospital to help kids, he was hooked on donating every two weeks.
“Also, Dave’s dear mother, Louise Myers, was instrumental in organizing one of the first donor groups back in 1954 when her daughter (Dave’s sister) needed transfusions. This was in the early days of what was then the Blood Bank of Delaware, during our very first year of our operations. In a word, he’s BBD royalty.”
Myers, for his part, thanked his mother for inspiring him for his lifelong work of charitable giving, and he also expressed gratitude to his girlfriend, Elaine Abbott, for nominating him for this honor. Each year, Fresenius Kabi accepts nominations to the hall in early summer.
“Being inducted into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame is more than surreal; it’s magical,” Myers said. “It’s a magical feeling knowing I’m able to help so many people.”
BBD Senior Director of Laboratories Kristin Frederick helped to put into perspective what Myer’s 341 donations of platelets and plasma have done.
“Here at the Blood Bank of Delmarva, we refer to platelets as liquid gold,” Frederick said. “They are one of the most special products we collect and manufacture because they only have a 5-day shelf life, and are always in high demand. Made in the bone marrow, platelets are small disc-shaped cells that form clots to stop or prevent bleeding. When blood vessels become damaged, such as when you experience a small cut, your body signals or calls out for platelets. The platelets become activated with projectile-like arms and are called to the site of the injury where they stick to the damaged area to begin to form a clot.”
Platelets go to trauma patients, cancer patients, and others with low thrombocyte counts, among others, she said.
Myers has also donated 66 gallons of plasma which has additional coagulation factors and is used to control bleeding and replace blood volume lost during traumas, Frederick added.
In addition to Myers’ platelet donations, BBD Community Relations and Volunteer Specialist Angela Williamson also highlighted his role as a versatile volunteer at BBD. He has volunteered more than 2,300 hours since 2018, assisting fellow donors in the café, observing them to ensure they are okay post-donation, helping out at blood drives, and training new volunteers.
“And, last but not least, I am not sure I should ‘let the dogs out,’ but he may be known to be our beloved Delmar Blood hound mascot,” Williamson said. “Delmar is a kid favorite and fun photo opportunity.”
Also witnessing Myer’s induction into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame were Director, Donor Services Megan Johnson; Director, Process Improvement Rachele Allison; Director, Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat and Manager, Facilities Chuck Needles, and a number of Myer’s friends and family.
