ELKTON, Md. – Terumo Medical Corporation contributed in a big way to the Blood Bank of Delmarva’s celebration of National Blood Donor Month this January by booking 83 appointments at the Terumo Winter Blood Drive held Tuesday, January 9.
This was Terumo’s third, quarterly blood held since the Cecil County, Maryland-based company reinstated the draws after a post-COVID layoff. Every quarter, Terumo Medical Corporation and Terumo Cardiovascular across the street in Elkton alternate blood drives making it convenient for all Terumo associates.
The 83 appointments translated to 47 whole blood donations and 18 double red donations, for a total of 65 units of red cells collected on Tuesday.
“I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of the generous blood donors that helped to make this third Quarter FY23 TMC/TCVS Blood Drive a resounding success!” said Terumo Nurse Stephanie Eskridge, blood drive coordinator. “For the first time in 5 years, we have been able to finally regain participation in the Delmarva Blood Drive donation process that rivals our former contribution efforts, bringing our TMC and TCV Teams together in an effort to contribute to society through healthcare.
“This success could not have been achieved without the outstanding support from our Associates, Donors, Operations, Leadership, and all Supervisors and Managers, as well as our Facilities Team, the Blood Band of Delmarva Team, and Security Staff,” she added. “Our shift to indoor donations has proven to improve the blood donation process here at Terumo by reducing donation time, enhancing safe ambulation after donation, and streamlined our organizational system. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”
Among the donors was Terumo associate Jason Painter, whose son Maverick is a transfusion recipient. Jason gave whole blood, and he posted a photo to Facebook to help spread the word.
“[I’m] still doing my part,” he wrote. “If you can, please consider donating. There’s a serious need for blood right now and you never know when it could be you or your loved one.”
More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month. The annual observance is meant to honor voluntary blood donors and encourage more people to give blood at a time when blood donations can drop. To avoid future shortages, Blood Bank of Delmarva and partners are challenging residents to donate at least once per season in 2024.
Terumo’s quarterly blood drives put it squarely in line with this goal, allowing Terumo associates to contribute to the cause and thereby give back to the local community in a big way.
