For the moment Delaware and the Delmarva region find themselves narrowly avoiding a blood shortage.
Reports of shortages nationwide, especially the Northeast, are not reflected in Delaware’s numbers.
But Blood Bank of Delmarva spokesperson Christine Serio says while there may not be an actual shortage, recent severe weather has left supplies critically low.
“It takes three hundred and fifty donors a day, just with us, to supply the sixteen hospitals on Delmarva. With the snow and schools cancelling blood drives because they’re closing, or corporations cancelling blood drives because of closings, it has really taken a toll on the blood supply.”
Serio said low stockpiles and less donors are situations they often see during the winter months, and especially this year.
“This has been an unusually awful winter," Serio noted. "But even with regular winter months when its just cold out, and people don’t feel like leaving their houses, and it gets dark early; they’re all things that can hinder people from coming in.”
The Delmarva region hasn't suffered through a shortage in the 60 years the Blood Bank it's operated, which may be attributed to it large group of dedicated regular donors.
Nationwide, donations hover around 5 percent of the population, while the Delmarva region doubles that number.
Serio says having four locations around the region, thirty community mobile drives and a number of high school and college events also contribute to strong donation numbers, but encourages anyone looking to donate or learn more to visit the Blood Bank's website.
"We're always looking for new ways to reach out." she said. "We're always looking for new folks to come in and donate."
