RWJBarnabas Health has announced a series of blood drives across the state of New Jersey during the months of January and February amid shortages.
The purpose being to replenish dwindling reserves, mitigate shortages, and meet patient demand. January is designated as National Blood Donor Month.
According to New Jersey Blood Services, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, leaving more than 200 hospitals across the region with less than a two-day supply of blood.
Throughout January and February, RWJBarnabas encourages eligible donors of all blood types to make lifesaving blood and platelet donations, which are needed for surgeries, trauma care, childbirth, cancer care, and organ transplants, among other scenarios. Donating blood typically takes less than an hour, and one donation can help save up to three lives.
A full list of upcoming blood drives includes:
- January 21, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m.: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, 1 Hamilton Health Place, Roma Café, Hamilton, NJ
- January 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark Strong Lobby, Newark, NJ
- January 29, 11:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.: Maternal Health Blood Drive at Bradley Gardens Vol. Fire Co., Catering Hall, 24 Old York Road, Bridgewater, NJ
- February 4, 12:00- 6:00 p.m.: Rahway Fitness and Wellness, 2121 Lamberts Mill Road, Scotch Plains, NJ
- February 12, 1–7 p.m.: Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, 600 River Avenue, Patio and Conference Rooms, Lakewood, NJ
- February 14, 9:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.: Raritan Valley Road Runners @ NJIC3 (Interfaith Center for Cancer Care), Reformed Church of Highland Park, 19 South 2nd Avenue, Highland Park, NJ
- February 17, 11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.: Bradley Beach Community @ Bradley Beach Fire Department, 815 Main Street, Bradley Beach, NJ
- February 26, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.: Rutgers University, The Commons @ The Yard, 40 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Donors must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16 years old), and present photo identification. Donors aged 16 and 17 require written parental consent.
To make an appointment at a fixed site RWJBarnabas Health Donor Center, or to find a blood drive location near you, please visit https://www.rwjuhdonorclub.org
