BBD inches closer to the opening of Middletown Donor Center
MIDDLETOWN, Del. – Once again, the Town of Middletown’s periodic blood drive brought in the donors, with 71 appointments made at the town’s summer blood drive held at Volunteer Hose Company’s Middletown Memorial Hall on Tuesday, July 16.
The blood drive, as usual, was rocking-n-rolling, and it came at a critical time when collections had slumped during this critical, mid-summer period. Blood Bank of Delmarva Account Manager Mary Moore said 72 units were collected, from 48 whole blood units and 24 double red cell units.
As Middletown Public Relations Officer Kristen Krenzer has noted previously, Middletown has long been a supporter of Blood Bank of Delmarva every summer.
The draw brought out several familiar faces, including Middletown resident Becky Unruh, Town Planner Timothy DeSchepper, and Middletown Police Detective Michele Wharton.
Several donors at the July 16 draw were also already aware that the new Middletown Donor Center was scheduled to open later this summer in the Dove Run Shopping Center. A few others were pleasantly surprised to learn of BBD’s newest location.
It will give Middeltown-Odessa-Townsend residents another option when it comes to donating blood. Moreover, BBD Director, Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat and Moore assured local donors that mobile blood drives will still be an option, including those held at Middletown Memorial Hall.
As Moore sees it, whatever mobile donors gravitate toward the donor center opens an opportunity to recruit new donors for the blood drives.
Sarah Bridge was a new face among the donors. She usually donates at the fire hall or Connection Church. But, she was excited to hear of the new Middletown Donor Center.
“I would definitely donate more often [at a center],” Bridge said. “I first did this in high school. My dad does apheresis and my mom donates from time to time. We’re a blood banking family.”
The Town of Middletown Blood Drive also got a visit from longtime platelet and whole blood donor Patrick Barbato. Barbato had just donated platelets on Monday, July 15 at the Dover Donor Center, and he now has 43 total donations in blood and platelets that add up to 5 gallons. Well done, sir!
The Middletown Donor Center is scheduled to open on Monday, August 5. Please call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8 or click here to book an appointment at the donor center, Connection Church, Middletown YMC, Crooked Hammock or Middletown Memorial Hall.
