Summer push: RWJBarnabas makes call for blood donation

By
ROI-NJ Staff
-

RWJBarnabas Health is hosting several blood drives throughout July and August across its health care facilities to help reduce shortages already being experienced.

Life-saving blood and platelet donations are given to patients in a wide range of circumstances, including cancer care, trauma events such as car accidents and home accidents, childbirth and mass casualty events. Historically, blood and platelet inventories drop during the summer months when donors are on vacation or off from school and college.

The need is there, said Sally Wells, business development and community liaison for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Blood Donor Services.

“Fewer people think about donating blood during the summer, but accidents and medical emergencies don’t take a vacation,” she said. “Blood and platelet donations could be the difference between life and death for someone in need. This is why donations are needed throughout the year, but especially during the summer, when hospitals across the state experience declining supply levels.”

Here is a list of some upcoming blood drives:

  • July 10: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Rahway, Conference Room 1, 865 Stone St., Rahway;
  • July 11: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-New Brunswick, Auditorium, 1 Robert Wood Johnson Place, New Brunswick;
  • July 16: Livingston Township employees and community, Municipal Building/Town Hall, 357 S. Livingston Ave., Livingston;
  • July 18: Trinitas Regional Medical Center, CORE Bldg. 2nd Floor Training Rooms, 1164 Elizabeth Ave., Elizabeth;
  • July 24: JCC Metro West, 2nd Floor, Tepper Room, 760 Northfield Ave., West Orange;
  • July 25: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital-Somerset’s Christmas in July, 1st Floor Donor Center, 110 Rehill Ave., Somerville.

Donors must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16 years old), and present photo identification. Donors who are 16 and 17 years old require written parental consent. If the donor has a history of viral hepatitis at age 11 or older or is recovering from an infectious illness, they are ineligible to donate.

To make an appointment at a fixed RWJUH Donor Room or to find a blood drive location near you, please click here or call 732-235-8100, ext. 221.