As the song says, it’s the holiday season, but anyone in the world of blood banking can relate to the fact that the need for blood does not take a holiday.
The holiday season is a traditionally challenging time for blood donation, as family gatherings and holiday travel often lead to a decrease in donations. Last month, Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) declared a blood emergency in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving due to a drop in donations. BBD is now calling on new and returning donors to make an immediate appointment to donate.
Thankfully, there are donors who make time to come during the holidays, from Christmas and Chanukah on through the New Year.
That includes John Malmstrom, who donated whole blood on Wednesday, December 11 in his holiday socks that Blood Bank of Delmarva gave him a few years ago.
“It’s the nicest thing you’ve ever given me,” said Malmstrom, who is also known as Bubbles the clown. “It says, ‘I gave someone another holiday.’ I just think that says it all.”
As Malmstrom was leaving, it was time for Mary Keegan, 19, to donate.
“Where I go to school [University of Delaware], I donate a lot, but I’m home right now. So, I was just looking for some place to donate. I do it to help people; I’m healthy enough to do it.”
The trio of Marie Stangee, Janet Houck, and Debbie Martin donate every 56 days, like clockwork, and they always say hello to Helene Johnson, the volunteer coordinator for the Christiana Donor Center during their visit. Thursday, December 5 was their most recent donation together.
“We’ve been friends over 60 years,” Stangee said. “It’s been a couple years that we’ve been doing this together, and we go to lunch afterward.”
Tom Maiura also knows it’s important to donate regularly because of his O negative blood type. He donates in memory of his late father. He is a member of the Galloneer Club (two gallons) thanks to his regular donations, including during the holidays.
Taylor Duhé read an email from BBD about the urgent need for blood, particularly her type, O positive, and donated just before Thanksgiving. Donating blood fondly reminds her of her grandfather, who had the same blood type as her.
“So, the marketing worked,” Duhé said. “I’m O positive, and I feel like people are in need. If I can and I’m able to help, there’s no reason for me not to. And, personally, I feel like if the universe is treating me right and things are going well, I want to give back and keep my positive karma moving forward.”
It’s also good to see young, first-time donors come in, and Juliana Sweeney, recently donated for the first time with Blood Bank of Delmarva. Sweeney first donated with American Red Cross, but Blood Collection Tech Luis Bustos said, “donate where I work instead.” So, Sweeney, a 21-year-old student at University of Delaware, did just that.
“I know it’s really important, and my dad has had to get a lot of blood transfusions,” Sweeney said. “So, I just worry that if the supply ever gets low, he can’t get blood.”
In apheresis, April Doughty donated platelets on November 6 and December 6. She has been inspired to donate a total of 19 times, thus far, and with good reason.
“When my daughter Ryan (who’s now 17) was 5, she had a very bad illness,” Doughty said. “Her platelet count dropped, and she needed platelets to live. They helped save her life. I’m thankful.”
All-American Lifetime and former Mrs. All-American Kim Collins recently donated double red cells at her new, favorite location, the Middletown Donor Center in the Dove Run Shopping Center. She takes after her dad with her O positive blood.
“Being type O, it’s my duty and obligation to give blood and make a difference,” Collins said.
Julia Nowaczyk, 17, donated for the third time in her young life in November. She first donated at Padua Academy on March 5, and the B positive donor helps coordinate the Pandas blood drive as a member of the National Honor Society.
“This time, I just came back from a retreat, and I was feeling close to God,” Nowaczyk said. “I want to give back to the community. I don’t see why I shouldn’t donate. I might as well help somebody out.”
Book an appointment online at delmarvablood.org or call 888-8-BLOOD-8 to donate anywhere in Delmarva.
