THEWIRE

 

By Colleen Carter

 

The Jack F. Owens Campus of Delaware Technical Community College hosted its blood drive March 11 in the Jason Technology Center’s gymnasium. This blood drive was sponsored by the Blood Bank of Delmarva and hosted by the Medical Assistant Laboratory Technician Association (MALTA).

 

MALTA adviser Linda Collins said in an effort to keep up with today’s technology, the blood drive took a more digital approach with signing up. The blood drive also relocated to the JTC gym in attempt to get more walk through traffic of donors.

 

Collins said this was the first time the blood drive had been held twice of year. The reasoning for more blood drives is due to the increasing need, Collins said.

 

“Basically 350 people need blood on the Delmarva Peninsula every day, so we’re trying to make an impact to help that,” Collins said.

 

With all those in need, Collins said it’s important to donate because only 8 percent of people can actually donate.

“There is such a few amount of people that can donate, and there is such a big need for the area so any bit helps,” Collins said.

 

Janita Jean, a MALTA member, said she was pleased with the number of donors who came.

 

“People are slowly flowing in and slowly flowing out,” Jean said.

 

Jean hopes for the event to bring awareness to what medical lab technicians do and to bring awareness of the importance of donating locally and regularly.

 

“You never know what is going to happen, this blood they donate could maybe go to someone they know,” Jean said.

 

Blood Bank member Alexander Davis strongly encourages those who haven’t donated to do so and says he makes an effort to donate when he can.

 

“I donate twice a year ever since I graduated high school,” Davis says.

 

In regards to the blood drive, Davis hopes to see the community become more involved.

“I hope for the community to expand the blood drive and that my blood goes to good use,” Davis said. “Someone always needs blood.”