Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) has partnered with local, state and federal officials to celebrate Delaware Blood Donation Day on September 8.
Delaware Governor John Carney, by way of a proclamation, declared September 8 as Delaware Blood Donation Day, emphasizing the need to ensure the safety and security of all those in Delaware. The proclamation states in part that “a sufficient blood supply is a public safety issue both locally and nationally, and our hospitals and medical centers need a readily available supply for our residents and visitors.”
In addition to Gov. Carney, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer and Christiana Care surgeon Sherry L. Sixta, M.D. produced videos to help BBD promote the importance of blood donations.
Delaware Blood Donation Day is designed to create awareness about the importance of blood donations, which can only be acquired through the generosity of the public. Each individual has a vital role to play in helping to ensure that our local hospitals do not experience a blood shortage. Blood cannot be made or manufactured outside of the human body, and there is no substitute for it. Blood transfusions are essential for helping trauma victims, burn victims, cancer patients and those undergoing major surgery.
BBD needs an average of 350 donors per day to ensure we have the blood needed to supply hospitals in the Delmarva Peninsula.
Part of BBD’s outreach entails asking Millennials to step up and replace the aging Boomers moving out of the population eligible to donate. An estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, and less than 10 percent of that eligible population actually donates each year. BBD hopes Delaware Blood Donation Day on Friday, September 8 will motivate more individuals to become blood donors.
Donors who donate on September 8th will enjoy a FREE Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich and a one-year subscription to Delaware Today magazine courtesy of our partners Chick-fil-A and Delaware Today. Chick-fil-A offer is only valid at Chick-fil-A Christiana, 4657 Ogletown-Stanton Rd, Newark, DE 19713 from 10:30 am – 8 pm. Donors must show their blood donation receipt to qualify.
