CAMP Rehoboth to host blood donation drive Nov. 11

CAMP Rehoboth Community Center will partner with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to host a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at 37 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach.

This partnership follows the news issued earlier this year that the Food and Drug Association has lifted its ban on the ability for men who have sex with men to donate blood.

For several decades, men who have sex with men were denied the opportunity to donate blood solely based on their sexual orientation. Now, when donors sign up and arrive to donate, they will be asked instead about risky behaviors and other science-based data points that will ensure safe blood donations. These questions are asked of all donors, regardless of sexual orientation. The new individual donor assessment was rolled out in early October. For more information, go to delmarvablood.org/ida.

Opening up the donor pool proves to be opportune timing, as the Blood Bank of Delmarva recently declared a blood emergency, indicating an urgent need for donors due to dangerously low levels of O+, O-, B- and platelets. “We only have a blood supply of a couple of days, compared to a blood supply we like to have of seven or eight days for each blood type,” said Ralph Groves, account manager at the Blood Bank of Delmarva. “Right now, we are under five [days] for everything.”

CAMP Rehoboth has responded to the urgent need. The Nov. 11 blood drive will include registration options to sign up for a whole blood or AR-double red appointment. Advance registration is required at camprehoboth.org/blooddrive.

“What pleases me about this partnership is it’s yet another avenue for our community to give back and get involved,” said Leslie Ledogar, CAMP Rehoboth board vice president. “It’s not a monetary one. It’s a way to give a life without reaching into your pocket. I encourage everyone, whether they’re gay men, lesbians or anyone else in the community, to register and save the life of a neighbor.”

Ledogar shares in the founding vision of CAMP Rehoboth as a community of neighbors sharing empathy and compassion for one another.

Groves summarized the plea simply. He said, “Go donate blood. If you are able to donate blood, considering the individual donor assessment and the questions they’re going to ask, please donate blood. We need it.”