Tony Prado, Communications Specialist for the Blood Bank of Delmarva, discussed the critical need for blood to supply the nineteen plus hospitals in their region, the three counties of Delaware, northern Maryland and a slice of Virginia.
He discussed the reasons behind the current need; during the summer school is out and high school and college blood drives account for 25 percent of the blood collected. Just as donations drop, he noted, need grows as car accidents and other traumas can increase in the summer when people are more active. Summer Blood Drives and prize incentives are the key to keeping the supply safe, Delmarva has many drives scheduled throughout the region and offers t-shirts and raffles for gift cards, grills and concert tickets to entice donors.
He spoke about the need to increase the donor base, Delmarva has eliminated the cap on older donors, but needs to get more retired Baby Booomers, Generation X, Millennials, and even Generation Z in the pool. Tony discussed age limitations – 17 and up, and weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin level requirements, but reminded us that most medications are allowed and that as long as you’re feeling well and have no fever and meet the basic guides, you can give. He noted that there is a great need for people of color and ethnic communities to give; patients receiving multiple transfusions, for example, those with Sickle Cell Anemia, develop antibodies and blood must be more closely matched to their donor, well beyond A, O and B.
He talked about ways you can help beyond giving blood, including a blood drive, volunteering at one or making a cash donation. He talked about the new Bloodmobile they’ll introduce this summer thanks to corporate sponsorship.
For more information, or to schedule a donation, visit delmarvablood.org