MIDDLETOWN, Del. – For some time now, several signs have been pointing to Blood Bank of Delmarva’s (BBD) need to have a Middletown Donor Center.
The number of local residents who drove over the C&D Canal to donate at the Christiana Donor Center near Newark to the successful blood drives regularly held by the Town of Middletown at Volunteer Hose Company were the biggest clues, not to mention local churches and other sites around or near Middletown.
Successful blood drives connected to the Blood for a Brew summer campaign, including Crooked Hammock and Two Stones Pub in Middletown, and the large blood drives held at high schools in the Appoquinimink School District were good indications as well.
On Monday, August 5, the decision to open the new center in the Dove Run Shopping Center paid immediate dividends as BBD collected 41 units of blood and generated excitement across town.
“I’m really glad that it’s open here,” said Sandy McCloud, one of the center’s first donors of the day.
Added Cassie Walls, “It’s very exciting. I would always go to Newark to donate.”
Cassandra Neubauer previously donated at Appoquinimink High School, but she found the location of the new Middletown Donor Center in the summertime ideal for her. She was also one of the first two donors in the door.
“They called, and it was very convenient,” Neubauer said. “It’s really cool; it feels new and everything’s so fancy!”
Cori Miller was among the donors who donated at Volunteer Hose Company.
“I wanted to check it out, and it’s really close for me,” Miller said. “I just wanted to help out.”
Olivia Cameron also has normally donated at mobile blood drives held in Middletown, but she was glad to book her latest appointment at the new Middletown Donor Center.
“I donate just because I can,” Cameron said. “I have blood, and I can give it. My grandma worked at the nursing department at University of Delaware, and she donated whenever she could.”
Rebecca Maiorano last donated at Volunteer Brewing Company during the beginning of the Blood for a Brew campaign, so she was due to donate again on August 5.
“It’s a lot closer than the Christiana center; it’s just easier to drive here,” Maiorano said.
Maiorano, a nursing student at Stevenson University, first donated at Middletown High School, and she had enjoyed continuing to donate given how valuable her O negative blood is.
If you would like to donate in Middletown, please call 888-8-BLOOD-8 or make an appointment online.
