BBD welcomed local elected officials, blood donors, and community members for a ribbon-cutting event and celebration of the new donor center
MIDDLETOWN, DE – Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art donor center at 246 Dove Run Center Drive in Middletown with a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, September 26. Local elected officials, blood donors, and community members gathered to commemorate this exciting milestone for the Middletown community.
BBD was joined by Middletown Mayor Kenneth Branner, Delaware State Senators Nicole Saville Poore and Kyle Evans Gay, a representative from Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long’s office, and New Castle County Councilman David Carter. Also in attendance were key community figures, including New Castle County Chamber of Commerce Director of Member Engagement Cathy Holloway, New Castle County Paramedics Chief Mark Logemann and and Assistant Chiefs Chris Johnson and Kelli Starr-Leach, Middletown Police Chief William Texter, and Miss Relay for Life 2024 Brielle Everson.
BBD Executive Director Steve Corse noted that several successful blood drives held in the Town of Middletown demonstrated the need for a permanent donor center.
“What better way to celebrate 70 years of lifesaving research, innovation, and impact than by opening a new donor center in this fast-growing town? Since our inception in 1954 in Wilmington as Blood Bank of Delaware, our seven decades of existence has been marked by growth over the years,” Corse said. “I want to especially thank the Middletown donors and the town of Middletown for showing us that this was possible, that this was doable. And, we feel we’ll be very successful.”
Middletown Mayor Ken Branner has been a long-time blood donor and supporter of the Blood Bank. When he found out about the summer blood challenge nearly 20 years ago, he made it a personal goal for the Town of Middletown employees to raise the most pints of blood of all the challengers, especially his full-time employer Artesian Water. “I’m a little competitive, so this was a perfect opportunity to get blood donations and have a friendly competition as well.”
This competition led to the Town hosting blood drives twice a year at the Volunteer Hose Company in addition to the other drives in the area at Crooked Hammock, Volunteer Brewing, Connection Community Church and the local high schools, Appoquinimink, Middletown and Odessa. Branner said he is thrilled to have a brand new, beautiful Donor Center in Dove Run Centre, Middletown. “Everyone is telling me they are excited to have location here so they don’t have to travel to Newark or Dover,” he said, adding he’s especially proud to be part of the growth of Blood Bank of Delmarva in its 70th anniversary.
In a statement, Delaware Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long noted how tough it is to get people to donate blood. Only 3 percent of eligible donors in the U.S. donate each year, per figures from America’s Blood Centers.
“When a person donates blood, they can save up to three lives,” Lt. Governor Hall-Long said. “As a nurse, I know how critical it is to constantly replenish our supply, and making donating more convenient will not only increase the number of people who donate, but also head off shortages. I’m proud that the Blood Bank of Delmarva is opening its latest donor center in my home of Middletown. I urge everyone eligible to make an appointment and donate to save a life – or three.”
Senators Poore and Evans Gay, both blood donors with BBD, expressed their pride in supporting the organization. “I am proud to be a blood donor,” Senator Poore said. “But, a lot of people don’t want to donate blood because of the needle. But, my friend Veni Jayakumar, of the wonderful group Charity Crossing, holds my hand and I get it done during their quarterly blood drives. And I love that I can help anyone with my O positive blood. Thank you, Blood Bank of Delmarva, for opening up another donor center, and making it easier for others to donate blood.”
New Castle County Paramedics Chief Logemann spoke of the significance of the pre-hospital, low-titer, O positive, whole blood program in conjunction with BBD. “It has allowed our paramedics to administer, so far, 117 units of whole blood to those in need following traumatic injuries. We have seen remarkable data that proves our use of whole blood administration in the field is having a positive impact on the critically injured patients we have cared for,” said Chief Logemann. “ With the support of New Castle County Government, from the County Executive on down, and the amazing staff at the Blood Bank of Delmarva, we will continue to bring this life-saving treatment to those in need. We are happy that this brand-new donor center allows more people the chance to conveniently donate in New Castle County, Delaware.”
Brielle Everson, Miss Relay for Life 2024 and resident of M.O.T area, concluded remarks by sharing her personal connection to blood donation. “I am 21 and have been a consistent, O positive blood donor for over a year, and nothing has ever filled me with more joy than receiving an email explaining my first donation benefited Nemours Children’s Hospital, the very hospital that cared for me as a child,” Everson said. “Please join me in experiencing that joy; your donation can and will change someone’s life. We hope you’ll join us not only for great, free snacks, but to help save a life!”
The new Middletown donor center represents a major step forward for Blood Bank of Delmarva, expanding access to lifesaving blood donations in this rapidly growing community. To make an appointment at a BBD location near you, donors can visit delmarvablood.org or call 1.888.8.BLOOD.8.
