Dear Friends, There is a constant need for blood.  Donors are essential in maintaining an adequate supply.   More than 79,000 blood donations are needed in this area each year for about 20,000 patients across the Delmarva Peninsula. The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) bans gay and bisexual men, and some transgender individuals, from donating blood.  This Friday, July 11, 2014, a nationwide blood drive will take place to bring attention to the ban and help save lives.  Gay and bisexual men and transgender persons who does not satisfy the donation eligibility requirements because of their sexual history should NOT personally attempt to donate.  Rather, they will show their willingness to help by asking allies (including lesbian and bisexual women) to donate blood in their place.    This grassroots effort to create change cannot happen without YOU. CHECKLIST OF ACTIONS If you are a gay or bisexual man, or a transgender person who does not satisfy the donation eligibility requirements because of your sexual history, find someone to donate blood in your place on Friday, July 11th at one of the 3 centers listed below. Ensure that the individual donating in your place is eligible to donate. Have the person schedule an appointment NOTE: The gay or bisexual male/transgender person they are donating on behalf of DOES NOT need to be present for the donation. Remind the donor to actually donate on Friday, July 11th at their scheduled time. Please instruct them to fill out their name on the “Regular Hero Card” available at the blood bank, and on the line that asks for School/Organization Name, to fill in “National Gay Blood Drive.” Give the donor a high-five and congratulate yourself for helping to bring attention to this ban. ** Frequently Asked Questions:  https://www.delmarvablood.org/frequently-asked-questions  ** Wilmington Donor Center 913 North Market Street – First Floor Wilmington, DE 19801 (Parking will be validated) Fri. – 7:00 AM to 1:30 PM Driving Directions Christiana Donor Center 100 Hygeia Drive Newark, DE 19713 (Across from Christiana Hospital on Route 4) Fri. - 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM Driving Directions Dover Donor Center 221 Saulsbury Road Dover, DE 19904 (Next to Dover Federal Credit Union) Fri. - 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM Driving Directions Many thanks, Mark Purpura President, Equality Delaware Foundation