Bridgeville native Jeff Allen, now in remission, gives back to the community that supported him
BRIDGEVILLE, DE – The world of blood banking has come full circle for Sussex County farmer Jeff Allen, a recipient of several transfusions.
Jeff hosted the biannual Could B U Blood Drive on Tuesday, April 7 withBlood Bank of Delmarva (BBD). But, this time he didn’t just coordinate the blood drive and recruit donors with BBD Account Manager Ralph Groves. He also donated one of the 17 units collected, leading by example in a powerful way.
It was a significant milestone in Jeff’s life in that it was the first time he had donated in 10 years. Jeff was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in August 2020 and non-Hodgkins lymphoma before that, in August 2016. He received several transfusions of platelets and red blood cells during treatment. Following a successful bone marrow transplant, he now has been in remission for a number of years.
Individuals with a history of blood cancers, including leukemia, must wait at least five years before becoming eligible to donate blood, per FDA regulations. Having surpassed that mark, Jeff was able to give back personally.
“It is better to give than receive,” Jeff said. “Becoming a coordinator was something that I felt I needed to do since I could not give for so long. But now that I am able to give again, I will continue to give and continue to coordinate the Could B U blood drive.”
Ever grateful for the donors who helped save his life, Jeff has been a big advocate for BBD and has encouraged members of the community to join him in supporting the ongoing need for blood donations. He’s also been featured in local media, including WBOC.
“The Could B U Blood Drive has been named that because it could be you at any point in your life,” he added. “Yes, giving blood saves lives and helps people. I’m a prime example of that.”
It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include: cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more.
If you have a question about donor eligibility, please call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.
