Blood Bank of Delmarva, Sussex County EMS team up for good cause

The Blood Bank of Delmarva teamed up with Sussex County Emergency Medical Services May 30, donating blood at their annual drive at the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center.

This year’s event marked a special milestone, as nearly 100 units of whole blood have been provided to individuals in need at the scene of an accident or trauma.

The state’s first recipient, who wished to remain anonymous, received the transfusion of whole blood only five days after the program went live. If it were not for this transfusion, they would not have survived. Now, a year later, they and their spouse donated at the blood drive.

This event collected 63 units of blood, with 14 donors giving double-red cells, in which the platelets and plasma are immediately returned to the donor. While 63 units is a good number of donations, officials stressed they need more, especially O-positive, which is carried by paramedic supervisors and the Delaware State Police helicopter in the field. Each donation made could save up to three lives.

For more information, go to www.delmarvablood.org/donate-blood.