One pint of blood can save up to three lives but there are shortages in New Jersey, so eligible individuals are being urged to donate blood or platelets to ensure an adequate supply is available to meet patients’ needs.
The New York Blood Center, which also serves the Garder States, declared a blood emergency earlier this summer. The Red Cross reported that the national blood product supply has fallen by more than 25% since July 1.
They say that due to a big drop in blood donations, the center has issued an urgent plea for blood donations. The center said platelets and all blood types are needed, but O- and B- are in high demand.
John Struble, a Bergen County resident, recently called to alert us about the problem. He said the Labor Day weekend often results in traffic accidents that create a high demand for blood, and without donations, those could result in unnecessary fatalities.
“The summer months, often called ‘trauma season,’ bring about significant challenges to an already limited blood supply,” said Dr. Alexander J. Indrikovs, senior director of transfusion medicine at Northwell Health. “With more hours of daylight and increased outdoor activities during the warmer months, people are more likely to sustain injuries that may require blood transfusions.”
“One person can help save hundreds of lives by hosting a blood drive,” said Lisa McCormick, who is best known for earning nearly 40% of the vote in her 2018 Democratic primary challenge to U.S. Senator Bob Menendez. “It’s a rewarding experience to take leadership. Organizing a blood drive event is a fulfilling chance to lead, collaborate with various groups, unite people under the banner of teamwork to ensure success, and advocate for a cause that has the potential to save millions of lives.”
A blood donation is a gift that in only 45-60 minutes, an eligible individual can donate one unit of blood that can be separated into four individual components that could help save multiple lives.
Current reports from the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism indicate that the blood supply in the United States is lower than it should be and trending downward at concerning levels.
Many blood collection organizations are facing a critical shortage this summer.
This has been further impacted by recent disruptions in blood collections in the Southeast United States, including the landfall of Tropical Storm Debby into Florida’s west coast. The storm is expected to impact Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, and further exacerbate the current challenges with the blood supply.
Blood has a limited shelf life and the blood supply must continually be replenished. If the blood supply is not replenished, the country faces the risk of not having blood available for all patients who rely on it for optimal health care.
“We are asking potential donors – both regular and first-time donors – to make a commitment to donate blood or platelets at this time,” said John Hagins, chair of the AABB Interorganizational Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism. “Donating now, or making an appointment to donate soon, will help to ensure that sufficient blood is available for all patients who need it.”
In New Jersey, blood drives scheduled in various communities are offering residents the opportunity to donate blood.
On August 18, 2024, the Metuchen Branch YMCA, located 12.57 miles away, will host a blood drive from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, while the American Progressive Telugu Association (APTA) will hold its drive the same day, 10.10 miles away, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
On August 19, 2024, blood drives will take place at several locations, including the VA NJ Health Care System (7.12 miles away) from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, the Florham Park Jaycees (5.05 miles away) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad (6.83 miles away) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and the American Legion Post 105 (12.77 miles away) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Montclair State University, 13.02 miles away, will host a blood drive on August 20, 2024, from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. On the same day, St. Vincent DePaul Church (7.48 miles away) and Notre Dame Church (11.27 miles away) will hold drives from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm, respectively.
The West Caldwell Library, located 10.01 miles away, will have a blood drive on August 21, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. On August 22, 2024, the Morris Area Community Blood Program (9.81 miles away) will host a drive from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Additional drives include the Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad on August 25, 2024 (6.83 miles away) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Linden Public Library on August 26, 2024 (7.81 miles away) from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and the Madison Fire Department on August 28, 2024 (3.88 miles away) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
The Cranford YMCA will host a blood drive on August 29, 2024 (5.99 miles away) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm, followed by the Springfield Community Blood Drive (2.55 miles away) on the same day from 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm. The Morris Area Community Blood Program will return on August 31, 2024 (9.81 miles away) for a drive from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
In early September, the Parsippany Library will host a blood drive on September 4, 2024 (10.58 miles away) from 12:30 pm to 6:30 pm, and the Roseland Community Blood Drive will be held on September 5, 2024 (7.61 miles away) from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The Cranford Jaycees will organize a drive on September 6, 2024 (5.37 miles away) from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Lastly, the Chatham Emergency Squad, 2.04 miles away, will host a blood drive on September 7, 2024, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, while Our Lady of the Mount RC Church, 9.51 miles away, will hold a drive on September 8, 2024, from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.
You can search for donor centers or community blood drives to see which locations are most convenient by visiting the New York Blood Center online at https://www.nybc.org
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