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Blood Bank of Delmarva Issues Urgent Call for Blood Donations as Hurricane Ian Ravages Florida

Blood Bank of Delmarva Issues Urgent Call for Blood Donations as Hurricane Ian Ravages Florida

 

Donations are needed to support blood centers impacted in Florida and the Southeast

 

DELMARVA โ€“ Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) is calling on Delmarva residents to donate blood amid a catastrophic hurricane hitting the coast of Florida. Donations are needed locally and in anticipation of humanitarian efforts that will be necessary to support our southern neighbors. These donations are essential to maintaining a stable supply of blood and platelets in impacted regions, which can help save lives and ensure patient needs continue to be met throughout this difficult time.

 

On Tuesday, Hurricane Ian made landfall along the southwestern coast of Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm. Experts say it is one of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall on the west coast of Florida.

 

In a statement released Tuesday, Americaโ€™s Blood Centers said, โ€œThe AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism strongly urges eligible individuals in unaffected areas throughout the United States to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment as soon as possible.โ€

 

Blood is perishable and according to AABB, blood collection organizations nationwide on average had only 1-2 daysโ€™ blood supply heading into the storm. At BBD, the inventory as of Thursday morning was three days whereas the goal is to ideally have a seven-day supply. Anticipated disruptions in blood collections and transportation challenges in Florida and the Southeast throughout the next several days are likely to exacerbate already low inventories, particularly in the affected areas. 

 

โ€œDelmarva residents always step up for each other and now we must help Florida and the Southeast, a region that desperately needs our support,โ€ said Patricia Killeen, Senior Vice President at Blood Bank of Delmarva. โ€œNow is a critical time to help those in need by making a blood donation. Itโ€™s easy and only takes one hour. This is a dire situation and every donation counts.โ€

To make an appointment at a nearby blood drive, donors can call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or visit www.DelmarvaBlood.org. Canโ€™t donate blood? You can still support BBDโ€™s mission by texting BBD to 20222 to give $25.

 

About Blood Bank of Delmarva: Founded in 1954, Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) is a non-profit community service organization that provides blood and blood products to 19 hospitals on the Delmarva Peninsula. More than 79,000 blood donations are needed in this area each year for about 20,000 patients across the Delmarva Peninsula.  Blood Bank of Delmarva merged with New York Blood Center in August 2019. BBD is a member of Americaโ€™s Blood Centers, AABB and Blood Centers of America.

Anne
Anne
Anne, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, discovered Ocean City over three decades ago and was so captivated by its charm that she decided to make it her permanent home. Her love for travel remains strong, but Ocean City holds a special place in her heart. Anne's deep connection to the town is evident in her role as a seasoned writer for OceanCity.com, a position she's held since September 2014. Her frequent visits to local events, businesses, restaurants, and hotels have given her an insider's perspective, making her an invaluable resource for newcomers seeking the best experiences Ocean City has to offer.

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