WILMINGTON, Del. – The Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD)’s Blood for a Brew fall campaign kicked off on Monday, September 30 with a blood drive that drew more than 20 donors to Sleeping Bird Coffee Shop off Miller Road.
The fourth annual Blood for a Brew summer campaign ended in early September, but BBD Director of Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat switched things up to coffee shops to continue making it convenient for blood donors who can now enjoy a hot cup of coffee on a cool, autumn day.
BBD Account Manager Gia Rivera and blood drive coordinator Leigh Ann Tona booked 22 appointments at Sleeping Bird Coffee, and it ended up drawing 20 units.
“I regularly donate,” said whole blood donor Corey Fields. “I like Sleeping Bird, and I was eligible. It was a great combination.”
For whole blood donor Julia Tieste, this blood drive was perfect timing as she wanted to get at least two more donations before the end of the year.
“I do love the local shops here, because I’m right down the road,” Tieste said.
Heather Brady was also among the donors and received a call for her O negative blood. Brady, who is in marketing for AstraZeneca, loved the concept of donating at coffee house.
“It’s so cute,” she said.
After donating, donors went into Sleeping Bird Coffee where Edan Lohr or Jes Becker gave donors a free cup of coffee.
All presenting donors for the Blood for a Brew fall campaign receive a complimentary cup of coffee, a branded ceramic mug, and will be entered into a sweepstakes for a $100 Wegmans gift card, donated by Wegmans.
Four coffee shops are hosting blood drives this October, with more to come in the following months. Upcoming drives include:
● Brew HaHa Avenue North – Oct. 6th 9 am – 1 pm (1000 Renaissance Way Wilmington, DE 19803)
● Remax & Dunkin – October 7th 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm (100 S. Broad St Middletown, DE 19709)
● The Well Coffeehouse – October 12th 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (6949 Lancaster Pike Hockessin, DE 19707)
To sign up, book online or call 888-8-BLOOD-8.
Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit delmarvablood.org or call 888-8-BLOOD-8.
