Donors at the fourth annual In Honor of Mickey Blood Drive felt like rock stars as they entered the café at Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) on Sunday, January 12.
That’s because after they donated, they encountered Mickey Petela, his wife, their children and other family members applauding them for their donations as they settled down for snacks in the café, accentuated by some additional coffee and doughnuts from Dunkin, per tradition.
This blood drive has been held for the last four years by the Petela family to continue giving back for the transfusions that patriarch Mickey received. Mickey received 35 units of blood after he suffered second- and third-degree burns to 73 percent of his body on April 29, 2021. He spent about three months sedated at Crozer Burn Center.
In Honor of Mickey Blood Drive coordinator Jilian Petela, one of his daughters, employed a strategy of direct outreach to family and friends and raising awareness on social media. Social media included everything from creating a permanent In Honor of Mickey Blood Drives page on Facebook to the nosy neighbor app known as Nextdoor.
Jillian’s efforts resulted in 33 booked appointments, with an additional 11 walk-ins that more than offset three no-shows at the Christiana Donor Center. In addition, BBD leadership decided to add platelet appointments since the Christiana Donor Center was open on a rare Sunday, which resulted in more than 20 additional products. In addition, people who could not make this January 12 blood drive donated on other days and tagged themselves on the new Facebook page, causing a positive, ripple effect for BBD.
In a word, it was a superb way for Blood Bank of Delmarva to continue its celebration of National Blood Donor Month.
“My dad said to me, did you know it’s National Blood Donor Month?” Jillian said. “I said, yes, Dad, because this is the worst time of year to get people to donate blood.”
Among the repeat donors at this blood drive were Karly Ross and Lindsey Krawczyk, friends of Jillian; Dylan Long and his dad, John Long; Mickey’s grandsons Anthony Petela and Michael Petela, both 19; and Chandler Gonzalez and Sarah Geho.
Among the newcomers were Arelis McDannald, who was recruited to donate by Jillian’s sister, Amber Petela, Leanne and Brian Szotak, who came from New Jersey with their 16-year-old daughter, Brianna; and Gabriel Thomas and Grace Wissler, who saw the event advertised on Nextdoor. This was the first time Thomas and Wissler ever donated.
Jillian said she looks forward to working with Account Manager Mary Moore to keep the new tradition going.