News & Press Releases
Blood Drive
JERSEY GARDENS HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE
New Jersey, January 4, 2005 – As 2005 kicks off, New Jersey Blood Services reminds all those eligible in New Jersey to start or continue the habit of giving the gift of life during National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. In appreciation for their much needed donation, beginning Saturday, January 8 all donors will receive a red wristband for donating red cells and a yellow wristband for donating platelets. In addition to be a "thank you" to the donors, the wristbands will help raise awareness via their “Give Blood” imprinted message.
New Jersey Blood Services , a non-profit, community-based blood collection and distribution organization, urges both past and new blood donors to donate this month and throughout the new year. “It’s critical that people donate blood regularly for both everyday and emergency transfusion needs,” says Maggie O’Shea, Executive Director & Vice President at New Jersey Blood Services. “We need at least 120,000 donors annually from our community in order to serve patients in close to 60 New Jersey area hospitals.
Four million Americans would die each year without donated blood being available. In fact, one of every three people will require a life-saving transfusion sometime in their life, and each pint of donated blood can help save the lives of three people.
“We already anticipate a shortage of O Negative and B Negative blood in our community this winter,” adds O’Shea. “To avoid that predicament, and potentially blood rationing to area hospitals, we need people to understand how important blood donation is to the health of their neighbors and larger community. National Volunteer Blood Donor Month helps shine a spotlight on this issue and how blood donors literally help save lives.”
WHERE: Jersey Gardens (Center Court)
TIME: 1 PM-6: 30 PM
DATE: January 23rd 2005
To make an appointment please call 1-800-933-2566.
Blood donors must be between the ages of 17 and 75, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. All donors will benefit from a free mini exam including a review of their pulse rate, blood pressure, iron count (hemoglobin) and temperature. Donors will need a photo or signature ID and knowledge of their Social Security Number. Donors who are not sure if they are eligible to donate can call 1-800-688-0900.
New Jersey Blood Services celebrating its 30th anniversary of servicing the community conducts an Estimated 250 blood drives per month in 14 New Jersey counties and needs approximately 120,000 donors annually in order to supply over 60 local New Jersey hospitals.
Contact:
Kathryn Duroha
New Jersey Blood Services
1-800-933-2566
