Summer Blood Drive: Vitalant · Red Cross New Jersey: Northern · Central · Southern · Blood Donor App · New Jersey Blood Services
Source: Red Cross, Vitalant.org
The need for blood doesn’t take a summer break. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood and platelets for patients with blood disorders, trauma victims and those experiencing difficult childbirths.
To donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment.
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. Plasma from routine blood, platelet and plasma donations that have high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients with a weakened immune system.
It is important that individuals who have been asked to quarantine or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation until they are symptom free for 10 days and feeling well and healthy.
The Vitalant Student Leader Scholarship Virtual Blood Drive awards $500-$1000 scholarships to college students who sign up to recruit donors to any Vitalant blood drive or at their donation centers in Paramus, Lincoln Park, Parsippany, or Montvale through Aug. 31, 2023. Visit Vitalant.org/scholarship for more information.