The Brightside: Rolling up the sleeve

SALISBURY, Md. – Ever since the Blood Bank of Delmarva reopened its doors at its Salisbury location back in July, community members have been filling up appointment slots.

In December, the blood bank expanded its efforts to the Salisbury University campus.

“The magic number for a successful blood drive is 25-30 donors, so the fact that they have 36 giving blood, whether they’re giving O blood or AA, is a fantastic win for the Blood Bank of Delmarva,” said communications specialist, Tony Prado.

Several students took a seat, rolled up their sleeve and donated blood, helping bring the banks’ inventory up, to be distributed to hospitals across the peninsula. Freshman Caitlyn Bussaid knows the impact that donating blood can have on a person.

“I just think it’s a really simple way to help people in need,” Caitlyn said. “I know my mom, she’s had a couple surgeries, and she’s needed blood transfusions, and it’s really nice to be able to help people the way she’s been helped as well.”

The Salisbury location operates every Monday and Tuesday now, with hopes of bringing more days back once they can get staffing up to par. Prado said hopefully, as the appointment book keeps filling up, they’ll eventually be able to accept more donors.

“We’re so happy to be back. It’s miraculous, in this day in age, in this economy, you see a lot of places closing down on the retail side, including the Rite Aid just across the street from the Salisbury donor center,” Prado said. “We’re thankful to be able to say that we reopened the Salisbury donor center, thanks to the community telling us, under no uncertain terms, that we had to reopen.”