NEW CASTLE, Del. – Insta Signs Plus of Delaware and Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) hosted a community blood drive and food event on Thursday, February 27th to combat the seasonal drop in blood donations.
In order to encourage attendance, the drive featured popular, local food truck Shore Fire Food, which is owned and operated by award-winning celebrity chef Robbie Jester of In Jest Events. Chef Robbie is known for his appearances on cooking shows including Beat Bobby Flay, Guy’s Grocery Games, and Netflix’s Pressure Cooker.
Blood drive coordinators Kaitlin Jasinski and Shawn Kirkpatrick, both Insta Signs associates, worked with Blood Bank of Delmarva Account Manager Mary Moore to book 13 appointments. That actually included both Jasinski and Kirkpatrick rolling up their sleeves. And, for Jasinski, it was her first time giving blood.
The drive also drew donors from neighboring businesses, including Christan Hyatt and Tom Gargalas of Electrical Integrity, and Jamal Wing, of Maichle’s Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Insta Signs, Electrical Integrity, and Maichle’s are among the businesses located in an industrial park just off Churchmans Road in New Castle Hundred.
WPVI Channel 6ABC Action News covered this blood drive, Critical Mention.
At this blood drive, a total of 5 units were collected, minus deferrals, Supervisor, Collections Chelsea Akers said. Travel to malaria risk areas, for instance, defers donors for three months, and some donors did not have the minimum hemoglobin level.
The winter months present unique challenges for blood donations as seasonal illness and inclement weather contribute to making blood donations less of a priority. Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of volunteer donors, but the past few years have brought chronic blood shortages nationwide.
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.
