Event commemorates two-year anniversary of paramedics transfusing pre-hospital whole blood
On May 30, Sussex County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) held a blood drive at its headquarters in Georgetown, DE to celebrate the two-year anniversary of Sussex County paramedics carrying lifesaving, pre-hospital, whole blood in the field. The drive yielded 63 units.
Many of the donors were Sussex County Government employees, such as Human Resources Director Karen Brewington and Susse County EMS Public Information Officer Glenn Marshall.
In the two years since this state-of-the-art , pre-hospital blood program bega , Sussex County paramedics have used 96 units of blood in the field, shared Sussex County EMS Training Coordinator Jordan Dattoli . No units have been wasted either, as paramedics have rotated 160 units of low-titer O whole blood and returned about 40 units for zero waste. Blood stored in specialized, heavily regulated coolers can be returned before the 21-day expiration date and be spun into red cells and plasma at Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD)’s Component Lab.
New Castle County EMS also began partnering with BBD to administer pre-hospital, whole blood in May 2023, and Kent County EMS followed suit in November 2024. The Delaware State Police Aviation Unit came on board in February 2025, thereby ensuring that the entire state of Delaware was covered by the pre-hospital whole blood program.
In addition, Southern Chester County, Pa., EMS began carrying packed red cells in June 2024. They will celebrate the one-year anniversary of this cutting-edge treatment with a blood drive on Friday, June 6.
“This has been great for the Blood Bank in terms of getting the word out about the need for blood to make this program work,” Dattoli said. “This should really go nationwide.”
Kristin Frederick, Executive Director, Blood Manufacturing Operations for New York Blood Center Enterprises and BDD, credited Sussex County and other state EMS officials in Delaware for advocating for this state-of-the-art, lifesaving resource.
“We just need the community’s support to continue to donate blood to keep whole blood in the field,” she added. “Rise up and do something bold this summer. Donate blood!”
Low-titer, O positive whole blood is crucial for BBD to keep paramedics stocked with the lifesaving products they need daily. If you want to find out if you have O positive blood, please call 1-888-8-BLOOD to make an appointment or book online at DelmarvaBlood.org.
