DOVER, Del. — State Senator Nicole Poore and State Representative Sophie Phillips culminated Blood Bank of Delmarva’s (BBD) celebration of January with Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 10 recognizing National Blood Donor Month in the State of Delaware, with the measure passing unanimously in both houses of the Delaware General Assembly.
Sen. Poore and Rep. Phillips also helped organize a blood drive on the same day in front of Legislative Hall in the capital district of Dover, and both legislators donated blood before they went into session. Joining them, among the first donors, were First Lady of Delaware Dr. Lauren Meyer, Senator Russell Huxtable, and Legislative Staffer Hannah DelGrande, a first-time donor.
Dr. Meyer, who knows the importance of blood as a physician, said she wanted to lead by example.
“I should be out here donating blood; put your money where your mouth is, so to speak,” Dr. Meyer said. “It’s super important, and I know firsthand that we run into shortages in the hospital often. We don’t want to be in a situation where we can’t save someone’s life because we don’t have that resource.”
For Sen. Poore, donating blood has become a regular routine with BBD, ever since she found out how valuable her blood is to local hospitals.
“For every donation, three lives are saved, and we have made great changes in the state of Delaware by the donations that have been given to help victims of tragedy,” she said. “Our EMS services are showing up and giving blood before people get to the hospital. That’s saving lives. “
Sen. Poore was referring to the fact that in 2023, the State of Delaware began a pilot program with New Castle County and Sussex County Emergency Medical Services to use of low-titer, O positive, whole blood for treating trauma patients in the field. This initiative was led by the State Medical Director at the Office of Emergency Services (OEMS) in conjunction with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and BBD. Following the pilot program’s success, the program was approved for statewide use by all Advanced Life Support (ALS) agencies in Delaware.
As for Rep. Phillips, this was her first time donating her O negative blood, the universal donor.
“It’s really needed, and there is a shortage,” Rep. Phillips said. “It’s good to get the word out; I love to educate people. I figured this would be a great opportunity.”
In the House chambers, Sen. Poore read from the concurrent resolution, in part.
“Whereas, the Blood Bank of Delmarva has been serving the community for over 70 years, collecting and distributing lifesaving blood and blood products to patients in local hospitals; and whereas, the need for a diverse and consistent blood supply in our communities is critical, yet supplies often fall short, making volunteer blood donors the cornerstone of a safe and stable blood supply to meet the medical needs of patients nationwide… Now, therefore: Be it resolved by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the month of January 2025, is designated as ‘National Blood Donor Month’ in the State of Delaware.”
BBD Vice President Keith Heim, Executive Director Steve Corse, Director of Donor Services Megan Johnson, Director of Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat, and Communications Specialist Tony Prado were invited by Sen. Poore and Rep. Phillips to witness the resolution being passed by the Senate and the House, respectively. Also on hand were Caleb Quick, his parents, and all his brothers and sisters.
The measure passed in the Senate unanimously, where Senators Stephanie Hansen, Russ Huxtable, David Lawson, Elizabeth Lockman, Spiros Mantzavinos, Brian Pettyjohn, David Sokola, Brian Townsend, and Mike Walsh co-sponsored the resolution. Senate President Kyle Evans-Gay, the Lt. Governor of Delaware, then allowed the BBD delegation and the Quick family to be dismissed.
In the House, Rep. Phillips asked that the resolution be read into the record, and there it passed unanimously, with Reps. Harris, Lambert, Ross Levin, Snyder-Hall, and Lyndon Yearick, a blood donor with BBD, co-sponsoring the resolution. State Reps. Franklin Cooke and Josue Ortega also expressed support for the resolution.
Naomi Quick, Caleb’s mother, was invited by Rep. Phillips to testify before the legislature on how Caleb beat childhood cancer thanks in no small part to the blood donors who selflessly give so that others can receive lifesaving transfusions.
“This guy here brings sunshine to everyone,” Quick said, referring to Caleb. “So, today, just as every other day, someone needs blood. Please donate blood. It only takes an hour, and you can save three lives.”
The Legislative Hall blood drive exceeded goal, with 20 donors and 16 units collected. They included Legislative Assistant Addie Campbell, Capital Police Cpl. Colleen Stanton, Chief of Fiscal Policy for the Controller General Victoria Brennan, Legislative Assistant Anna Shields, and Legislative Fellows Laura O’Connor and Raymond Kalmamowitz.