Community hosts blood drive to honor Cpl. Ballard

DOVER, Del. – Over a hundred people from across the First State gathered at Delaware State University on Friday to honor the memory of former Delaware State Trooper Stephen Ballard.

Corporal Ballard was killed while approaching a suspicious vehicle outside of a Wawa in Bear back in April of 2017.

“I got a call and they asked me if they wanted to do a blood drive,” said Louise Cummings, the widow of Ballard.

“Some of the students had rallied here at Delaware State University, which is actually Stephen’s Alma Mater so it was awesome that they wanted to do this and to give life to other people through his tragedy,” said Cummings.

Cummings on Friday was received with open arms at the University with a community blood drive to honor her late husband. Delaware State University and the Blood Bank of Delmarva gathered volunteers who were willing to donate some of their blood to help save lives while remembering the former alumnus.

Cummings said if Ballard would have survived the tragic incident blood from the community would have helped him fight for his life. That is why this event meant so much for her.

“When I got out of the hospital, he had come out of a surgery and they said he wasn’t going to make it, but I do believe if there was a chance that he could have made it blood definitely would have been important,” said Cummings.

Members of the Blood Bank of Delmarva said these sort of events are crucial to keep up with the need for more blood. They said at this time of the year the blood bank tends to have a shortage of blood.

“Spring started not too long ago, and we are suffering from what I call the winter blues where we’re still kind of hibernating and we had a little bit of a hold to climb up,” said Tony Prado, a spokesperson for the Blood Bank of Delmarva.

“The good news is that most of our blood inventory has stabilized,” said Prado.

Family of the late trooper added they feel Ballard is watching from above and that this blood drive is sure to make him proud.

“He loved people coming together so no matter what it was or what the cause, but especially to save lives, I know he’s looking down and he’s very appreciative,” said Cummings.