Source: Hudson Reporter
In partnership with Mayor James Davis, New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) a division of the New York Blood Center, will host a community blood drive on Tuesday June 23 1:30PM to 7:30PM at the Bayonne Museum located at 229 Broadway. The goal is to collect 100 units of much-needed blood from blood to be able to help 300 patients.
The NY Blood Center has been collecting plasma to use in COVID-19 patients for convalescent plasma therapy to treat the virus, having helped over 10,000 patients so far. But over the same period, the center was only collecting blood in their own donor centers in New York and New Jersey, for the safety of both staff and donors.
According to New Jersey Blood Services, the supply of plasma during COVID-19 was adequate considering the reduction in the number of surgeries and accidents.
But now, they desperately need to restart community blood drives to meet the other needs of hospitals, besides COVID-19 patients.
The situation is urgent at this time because the usual spring buildup of the blood supply did not happen, considering the closures and stay-at-home order.
New Jersey Blood Services asks that donors wear masks and make appointments to help control the number of donors in the space at one time. Temperatures will be taken prior to being allowed to start the donation process. Donors are asked to bring a photo ID or a NY Blood Center donor card, as well as to eat before donating blood.
For donor eligibility requirements, visit NyBloodCenter.org, nybc.org/donate-blood/become-donor/can-i-donate-blood/, or call NY Blood Center at 1-800-933-2566.
To make an appointment, residents can go online to schedule an appointment at Tinyurl.com/GiveBloodNJBS. Residents should use sponsor code 70813 to make an appointment. For additional information, call Rosana Tabacki at 917-699-9073.