OCEAN CITY, Md. - Masks on. IVs in. Donors from all across Delmarva file into the Ocean City Convention Center for the 22nd Annual Ocean City Blood Drive.
Tuesday marks the first of three days for the Blood Drive.
“This year we were in a pandemic. We were really really nervous but also needing the blood. And so what we’ve done is spread the event out to three days," says Director of Donor Recruitment Marie Forrestal.
Wednesday, donors can give blood at the Ocean City Convention Center from 8 am to 4 pm. On the last day, Thursday, individuals can donate blood from 8 am to 2:15 pm.
Forrestal says there will be fewer appointments each day in order to follow CDC guidelines. “We are having fewer appointments every 15 minutes. We’re doing temperature checks before anybody enters the premise and we’re wiping everything down as donors leave. We have tons of disinfectant that we have all over the place," Forrestal says.
The Blood Bank of Delmarva says there is an immense need for donations this year. The reason? Forrestal says around 25% of all blood donations typically come from high schools and colleges/universities. This past year, that just was not possible.
“I mean there’s a lot of people that need blood you know. It just takes a little time, that’s all," says Sharon Hecksher as she donates blood. Hecksher says she tries to donate regularly.
For some, donating blood is just something they do, especially as they get older says Richard Lamar. “I think as you get older you become more aware of your fellow man. You know? You want to give back.”
Donors are asked to only donate blood if they are feeling healthy and have no symptoms of the flu or COVID-19.
Anyone can register to donate blood at the blood bank's website listed below.
https://www.delmarvablood.org/new-donor-portal/
For anyone who donates blood this week, their blood will be tested not only for a possible COVID-19 infection, but if their blood holds the antibodies needed to fight off the virus.