Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information about World Blood Donor Day events.
Countries around the globe will celebrate World Blood Donor Day on Wednesday, and those in Delaware and the surrounding areas can participate by giving blood.
Someone in the United States needs blood or platelets every two seconds. But despite that constant demand, just 3% to 5% of the eligible donor population gives blood, according to Theresa Young, executive director of the American Red Cross Delmarva Chapter.
World Blood Donor Day aims to satisfy that need for blood by encouraging future, life-saving donations. It also celebrates past donors who have helped save lives.
“World Blood Donor Day is a special day in which we celebrate not only the donors who make selfless donations to help their neighbors, but also our amazing team, who make it all possible,” said Emily Cunningham, the Blood Bank of Delmarva vice president.
This year’s slogan for the campaign is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often,” emphasizing the support of patients that need life-long transfusions, as well as promoting the need for a sustainable blood supply, according to the World Health Organization.
Where to donate in Delaware
Interested donors can visit one of the donation centers across Delaware, including the new American Red Cross Wilmington Blood Donation Center, which opened in March. Those willing to donate to the Wilmington location can choose an appointment time and type of donation on the organization’s website.
There are also other locations with the Blood Bank of Delmarva and CSL plasma, as well as mobile drives across the state.
- American Red Cross Blood Donation Center (Wilmington): 5329 Concord Pike, Brandywine Hundred, Delaware
- Blood Bank of Delmarva (Newark): 100 Hygeia Drive, Stanton, Delaware
- Blood Bank of Delmarva (Dover): 221 S. Saulsbury Road, Dover, Delaware
- Blood Bank of Delmarva (Dagsboro): 32445 Crossing Shopping Centre, Royal Boulevard, Dagsboro, Delaware
- CSL Plasma (Dover): 275 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, Delaware
- CSL Plasma (Newark): 79 Marrows Road, Newark, Delaware
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Types of donations and eligibility
There are four types of blood donations: whole blood, power red, platelet and plasma.
Donors can choose between whole blood, power red and platelet donations at the Wilmington American Red Cross location. The Blood Bank of Delmarva accepts all four types of donations, according to its website.
Whole blood is the most flexible and common type of donation, while power red donations provide a double unit of blood.
Platelets, on the other hand, are specific, tiny cells in blood that form clots and stop bleeding. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that helps maintain blood pressure and volume.
Specific eligibility requirements for each type of donation depend on state law. In Delaware, ages 17 and up can donate whole blood, with 16-year-olds being able to donate with written parental consent. However, the final eligibility determination is made at the time of donation.
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How to prepare for donation day
While giving blood, people can experience fatigue, bruising, bleeding, dizziness and lightheadedness, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To help prevent side effects, the American Red Cross recommends drinking an extra 16 ounces of water before the donation. It also suggests that donors be well-rested and eat iron-rich, non-fatty foods.
Donors must bring two valid forms of identification with them if donating to an American Red Cross location. An American Red Cross donor ID and a driver’s license with a photo are preferred. Other forms of acceptable identification include an employee ID with a photo or a passport.
To help with registration, Young encourages people to download the American Red Cross Blood Donor app.
What to expect on donation day
When donors arrive at an American Red Cross donor site, they will be asked a series of health questions and get their blood pressure, iron levels and temperatures taken to assure donation viability.
Before the blood draw, donors should let the nurse know if they have a preferred vein or one that has worked well in the past.
After the blood draw, donors should wait and eat a snack before leaving. The American Red Cross also recommends drinking four additional 8-ounce glasses of liquid and avoiding drinking alcohol for 24 hours after the donation.
Delaware's need for blood
There is always a need for blood donations, but the summer months are an even more critical period. According to Young, “more often than not,” people are less available to give blood in the summer. In fact, she said there were 26,000 fewer blood donations than needed across the U.S. last month.
“If you have ever thought of a loved one in a hospital, or honestly anyone in a hospital, their number one need is for blood. What they're going through is so much more difficult than what we're asking for,” Young added.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also affected blood donations, according to the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Before the pandemic, the Blood Bank of Delmarva received 6,000 annual donations from students at high schools and colleges. But post-pandemic, there has been less than half of these donations.
To help encourage people, anyone who donates blood with the American Cross in June will receive a $10 gift card to a vendor of their choice and be entered into a giveaway for a backyard screening package.
