DELMARVA- Blood Bank of Delmarva is asking people across the region to donate blood before and during Labor Day weekend as the organization works to rebuild supplies following a difficult summer.
The organization says blood donations often decline around holiday weekends as travel, end-of-summer plans and back-to-school schedules make it harder for people to find time to donate.
Last Labor Day week, Blood Bank of Delmarva collected nearly 50% fewer donations than the approximately 2,000 donations needed each week to meet demand from hospitals and patients. The organization said that amounted to a shortage of nearly 950 donations.
The blood bank said the need remains high and the return to school and changing family schedules could impact donations as fall begins.
"Holiday weekends are always challenging for the blood supply, and last Labor Day we saw a significant drop in donations, " said Kristin Frederick, vice president of operations at Blood Bank of Delmarva. "The need for blood doesn’t take a holiday. We’re asking our neighbors across Delmarva to make time to donate and help ensure blood is available for patients throughout the holiday weekend and into the fall.”
As an incentive, anyone who donates from Sept. 2 through Sept. 9 will be entered to win a $500 gift card. One winner will be selected each day of the sweepstakes.
