Blood Bank of Delmarva issues calls for healthy donors

Blood Bank of Delmarva is issuing an urgent call for healthy blood donors.

The need for blood has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, but supply is still lagging behind. Summer can be a difficult season for the blood supply as people head off on vacation and fewer people make time to donate. 

As restrictions lessen or end entirely, blood donors are still not donating at pre-pandemic rates; however, hospital and patient blood needs have rebounded to above pre-pandemic levels. There are 5,000 blood donors who still have not returned to donate since before the pandemic, and there are many fewer blood drives hosted each month.

A year of no high school and college blood drives has also created a gap in first-time donors. Therefore, the blood bank is asking its same donors over and over to give more. Lapsed COVID-19 donors need to know that it is safe to come back, and more organizations are needed to step up to host blood drives.

“In a normal year, maintaining an adequate blood supply can be challenging during the summer. This year, folks can finally start enjoying some travel, family and friends, so we’re preparing for things to be even more difficult. The blood supply is a critical part of our healthcare system. It is imperative for healthy individuals to come in and donate blood so that it’s available to those in need,” said Patricia Killeen, Blood Bank of Delmarva senior executive director. “This is one thing you can do to help someone who desperately needs it. We have extended hours at our donor centers, and we’re encouraging donors to schedule an appointment to visit one of these controlled, safe environments.”

Donating blood is safe, and it only takes one hour. The blood bank is taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. Staff are also practicing health self-assessments before going to work. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection or flu-like symptoms.

Donors can schedule appointments by calling 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or going to delmarvablood.org.