QUEEN ANNE, MD. — Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) and Caroline County EMS hosted a July 25 blood drive in memory of Caroline County 911 Emergency Dispatcher Dawn Jones, who passed away in 2021 after a 20-year battle with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. The blood drive also heralded the official launch of Caroline County Paramedics carrying prehospital blood in partnership with Blood Bank of Delmarva.
Dawn received more than 50 blood transfusions during a four-month hospitalization in 2019 andgained a firsthand understanding of the lifesaving power of blood donations. She began organizing community blood drives. Now, the EMS community is asking Queen Anne residents to honor Dawn’s legacy by donating blood.
Caroline County EMS Paramedics also celebrated the addition of prehospital blood, enabling first responders to transfuse critically ill patients before they reach the hospital. This advanced practice has improved survival rates.
The July 25 blood drive at Queen Annes-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company yielded 40 units.
Caroline County EMS Chief Kathy Marvel, Lieutenant Rebecca Bonner and four members of Dawn’s family (Heather Jones, Jessica Jones, Savannah Jones, and Maeley Rodggers) welcomed donors.
“What an incredible turnout for our blood drive!” Lieutenant Bonner. “We are so grateful to everyone in our community who took the time to come out and donate. Your generosity and support help ensure lifesaving whole blood is available for patients when they need it most.
“Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make this event a success,” she added. “Together, we’re making a real difference in our community and helping save lives.”
