DOVER — Bayhealth is teaming up with the Blood Bank of Delmarva and Delaware State University Athletics to host the third annual Ballin’ for Blood Drive from 1-6 p.m. Feb. 1 on Bayhealth Court in Memorial Hall on the university’s campus.

All donors will be entered to win four tickets to a Philadelphia 76ers game. Participants will also receive a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card.

Bayhealth is the primary health care provider for DSU Athletics and a longtime partner of the Blood Bank’s, which supplies blood to the health system’s hospitals and standalone emergency rooms across Kent and Sussex counties.

The goal of Ballin’ for Blood is to raise awareness of the importance of a stable and diverse blood supply and to ultimately save lives in our communities by filling 50 appointments.

“Bayhealth is proud to leverage its partnerships with these two like-minded organizations to directly benefit the health of our community through blood donation,” said interim vice president of marketing, communications and community engagement Amanda Bowie.

“The blood collected through events like Ballin’ for Blood is used by our care teams to save lives every day.”

The drive also coincides with the start of Black History Month. Dr. Charles R. Drew, an African American physician, is known as the father of blood banking.

The Blood Bank of Delmarva works closely with community partners to increase African American donors. Delaware State University, a historically Black university, will play a role in those efforts, as African Americans make up about 22% of the state’s population, and more than 50% of this demographic has Type O blood. In addition, the number of Black donors at BBD increased to 5.7% in 2023, up from 5.1% the previous year.

“By having a diverse donor population, we can help ensure a better blood match for patients needing treatment,” said Steve Corse, executive director for blood operations at the Blood Bank.

Last year, Ballin’ for Blood brought in 48 donors, while the inaugural event in 2022 brought in 33. Most have been university students and staff, local residents and Bayhealth employees and volunteers.

“DSU Athletics is excited to once again partner with Bayhealth and the Blood Bank of Delmarva to help raise awareness and teach our students, fans and community about the importance of a stable blood supply and how to help save lives in our community,” said Hornets’ director of athletics Alecia Shields-Gadson.

“Our partnership with Bayhealth is all about utilizing our joint resources to inform and educate the university family and community at large on all things health and wellness, and this blood drive is a critical part of that mission.”

Visit bayhealth.org/b4b to learn more and to register.