Winter 2015 Blood Drives:
Community Blood Svcs. – Central Jersey Blood Ctr.
N.J. Red Cross – Community Blood Council
By County: Hudson · Hunterdon · Middlesex · Union
Source: New Jersey Hills.com
New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is asking for help to maintain an adequate supply of all blood types, but especially O-negative – the “universal” blood which can be transfused into anyone in an emergency.
In addition, hundreds of additional blood drives need to be scheduled to meet projected hospital demand, officials said. Current inventory of several blood types is running below the desired target level.
“It’s simple: hospital patient demand for blood often outpaces our best efforts to recruit donors and schedule blood drives,” Executive Director of Donor Recruitment Andrea Cefarelli said. “There are always reasons but we have to overcome that for the sake of hospital patients who need us.
“This is one of the toughest times of the year. We’re asking for our dedicated supporters to roll up their sleeves to make sure we’re able to provide our hospital partners with whatever they need to take care of their patients.”
Blood products have a short shelf life – from five to 42 days, so constant replenishment is necessary. Each and every day there are patients who depend on the transfusion of red blood cells, platelets and plasma to stay alive. But blood and blood products can’t be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.