Blood Bank of Delmarva Seeks Blood Donations Due to Short Supply


Cancelled blood drives and reduced donor turnout throughout January have resulted in substantially fewer blood donations than what is needed to meet the needs of patients in the 19 hospitals served by Blood Bank of Delmarva.

The blood supply typically drops during the winter months, but this year’s decline is worse than expected. Blood Bank of Delmarva has just a 3-4 day supply with types O- and B- at critically low levels.

“Patients rely on blood donors year-round, and it is especially difficult to maintain a stable blood supply during the winter months,” said Karesa Fleary, director of donor recruitment of the Blood Bank of Delmarva. “Blood reserves have now reached critical lows and we are calling on everyone who can to donate blood and save a life.”

It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save up to three lives. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.

BBD is urging donors to walk in to any of their centers or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 to make an appointment. Donors can also make an appointment online at https://donate.bbd.org.