DOVER, Del. – Blood Bank of Delmarva marked its triumphant return to Kent County Levy Court for the first time since 2019 with a blood drive that booked nearly 30 donors on Friday, October 11 and finished with 28 units and 11 first-time donors.
The last blood drive held at Kent County Levy Court drew 15 donors in comparison, Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) Account Manager Ralph Groves said.
Early last summer, BBD Donor Engagement began outreach to state government and local municipalities in an effort to drum up grassroots-level support for blood donations. Around that time, Kent County Human Resources Assistant Danielle Fields reached out to Communications Specialist Tony Prado to hold a blood drive. Prado referred her to Groves, and the rest is history.
Groves was impressed with Fields’ efforts, and he told her he looks forward to working with her for future draws.
“With a lot of changes in the county, this kind of fell through,” Fields said. “So, when I started, we wanted to pick it back up, and I got into contact with you guys. You guys were great.”
This was the first time Fields donated blood, and she was also interviewed by WBOC!
Among those donating was Fields’ boss, Kent County Human Resources Director Trudena Horsey. She donated at the last blood drive held at Kent County Levy Court five years ago.
“It’s my way to give back, honestly,” Horsey said.
Jamie Fenske, a planner for Kent County, also donated conveniently at work.
“I wish you would come more often,” she said.
Kenty County Paramedic Jessica Mills did not donate, but she brought Timmy Evans, a volunteer with Townsend Fire Company to donate in her stead.
Speaking of paramedics, Kent County Director of Facilities Shawn Lovenguth donated blood for the first time, and he told the story of how Kent County Paramedics saved his life.
“I was hit by a car many years ago,” Lovenguth said. “Kent County Paramedics were there to save me. I received 27 units of blood [in the hospital], I was told.”
Ryan Hassel was another first-time donor at Kent County Levy Court.
“I’m an EMT with the City of Dover, and I know what the blood means to the patients once the county has it,” he said.
Shana Reed, an administrative coordinator with Kent County, put things into perspective as she donated blood conveniently at work.
“There’s so much going on in the country, a lot of disasters with people in need. Hurricanes have devasted people,” she said. “It’s important.”
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, BBD and NYBCe have sent 200 units of blood to the Southeast in an effort to alleviate the critical state of blood banks in Florida and the vicinity.
