SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury University Fall Semester Blood Drive delivered a critical lift to Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) on Giving Tuesday, December 2, helping offset a steep decline in donations following Thanksgiving.
Coordinated by Salisbury University’s Tricia Garvey Smith, the drive booked 36 appointments and resulted in 29 donations collected – a meaningful rebound after BBD experienced a 20% drop in donations during the week of Thanksgiving. With additional holiday-related challenges coming – seasonal illness, travel, school breaks, and harsh winter weather – BBD is counting on blood drives like this one to sustain the region’s blood supply throughout the challenging winter months.
The blood drive also drew local media attention, with coverage from WBOC Delmarva’s News Leader and 47ABC – WMDT as part of BBD’s Giving Tuesday outreach encouraging blood and financial donations.
BBD continues to face a separate challenge: a 30% decline in donors under age 30 since the pandemic. Among those helping reverse that trend was freshman nursing major Keira Lucas, 18, who donated at the Salisbury event.
“I donate because I think it helps a lot of people,” Keira said. “I work at TidalHealth; I’m a CNA (certified nurse’s assistant), and I have seen how people are when they go without blood for too long. I just think donating is good to do, just to help other people.”
To help save lives like Salisbury University did on Giving Tuesday, please visit Host a Blood Drive – Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD). Those unable to donate blood, as well as current blood donors who want to do even more, can support BBD’s End of Year Campaign, which raises critical funds to strengthen and ensure a safe and reliable blood supply. Every contribution supports lifesaving research, donor center upgrades, mobile blood drives, and education programs that inspire the next generation of blood donors. Learn more.
