Blood Bank of Delmarva announces first blood emergency of 2023

DELMARVA – The Blood Bank of Delmarva has declared its first blood emergency of 2023.

We’re told the blood emergency is the result of several factors, including school breaks, cold and flu season, and the lingering effects of COVID-19. In January 2023, the Blood Bank received 1,000 fewer donations than in January 2022.

Officials say the number of blood donations are still not back to pre-pandemic levels. A continued lag in first-time and youth donors remains below 33% of pre-pandemic levels. This has caused a long-term ripple effect as the youngest donors are introduced to the importance of donations at high school and college blood drives. Office and community blood drives and visits to local centers and mobile drives are also significantly down.

Platelet donors are also urgently needed. With a shelf life of just five days, BBD relies on dedicated platelet donors to help patients undergoing chemotherapy, those with bleeding disorders, new mothers, and more. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration recently lifted eligibility restrictions for individuals who lived in Europe during certain periods of time.

Those interested in scheduling an appointment to donate can go online or call 1-888-8-BLOOD-8.