OCEAN CITY, Md. – On June 4, the Town of Ocean City, Maryland celebrated a major milestone: surpassing 15,000 blood donations to Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD).
Ocean City Mayor Richard “Rick” Meehan and the Town of Ocean City Council visited the drive at the Rolan E. Powell Convention Center to thank blood donors and BBD leadership including Vice President of Operations Kristin Frederick, Director of Donor Services Megan Johnson and Account Manager Ralph Groves in person.
“I, Rick Meehan, Mayor of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, along with the Ocean City Council, do hereby proclaim June 4, 2026, as ‘Ocean City Summer Blood Drive Day” in Ocean City, Maryland, and encourage all eligible residents to consider donating blood and supporting efforts to maintain a strong and reliable blood supply for those in need,” announced Mayor Meehan.
“We’re so excited to hit this 15,000-donation milestone today after coming here in January during the winter for the last 27 years and here in June for the summer blood drive the last six years,” said Kristin Frederick, Vice President of Operations, Blood Bank of Delmarva. “This is thanks to the dedication of the Town of Ocean City and local residents, who give back to their community in such a powerful way.”
The Ocean City Blood Drive also featured a personal milestone for former Ocean City Councilman and police officer Mark Paddack, who celebrated his 65th birthday on June 4 by donating his eighth gallon, moving him up on BBD’s “Galloneer List.”
This drive came at a critical time, as healthcare professionals typically see a rise in serious injuries during the late spring and summer months due to increased travel, outdoor recreation, boating incidents, and holiday activity. At the same time, blood donations often decline because of school breaks, vacations, and holiday schedules, creating added strain on the blood supply during a critical period for patients. On June 8, Blood Bank of Delmarva declared a blood emergency.
