PHILADELPHIA (July 25, 2017) — Thousands of people have responded to the emergency call for blood and platelet donations issued by the American Red Cross in early July, but there continues to be a critical summer blood shortage. Eligible donors of all types are urgently needed.

After issuing the emergency call, the Red Cross has experienced a 30 percent increase in blood donation appointments through mid-July. About half of the appointments were scheduled by donors using the free Blood Donor App or at redcrossblood.org. Despite this improvement, blood products are still being distributed to hospitals as fast as donations are coming in, so more donations are needed to meet patient needs and replenish the blood supply.

“The blood supply is like a cell phone battery, it constantly needs recharging,” said Alana Mauger, external communications manager of the Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives and encourage those who haven’t to consider rolling up a sleeve and give the gift of life. It only takes about an hour but can mean a lifetime for patients.”

Across the county, nearly 61,000 fewer blood donations than needed were given through the Red Cross in May and June, prompting the emergency call for donations in early July. The shortfall was the equivalent of the Red Cross not receiving any blood donations for more than four days.

 

How to help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard™.*

 

Who blood and platelet donations help

Blood shortages could lead to delays in patient care, something Arthur Bourget learned firsthand after being diagnosed with leukemia in July 2007. When he arrived for his second blood transfusion, he was told the blood he needed was not available. He waited eight hours for blood to arrive and to receive the transfusion he needed that day.

“One thing that I committed to my wife was that I was going to beat leukemia, no matter what, and I was going to do that,” said Bourget. “But what I wasn’t going to be able to do was survive without the blood that I needed.”

Bourget went into remission following a successful treatment plan, which included 28 blood and 34 platelet transfusions. He has been a faithful advocate for blood donations ever since.

“If it wasn’t for the generosity of volunteer blood donors, I would not be here today,” he said. “My daughter would not have a father, and my wife would not have a husband. Thank you and please give blood. You may never know the life you have saved, but I guarantee they will never forget you.”

 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 25-Aug. 15

 

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center
Northern New Jersey Donor Center
209 Fairfield Road, Fairfield
Tuesday: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: (1st and 3rd of each month) 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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Bergen

Cresskill
8/14/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Camp Merritt American Legion Post No. 21, 75 Legion Drive

Edgewater
8/9/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., One Hudson Park, 235 Old River Road

Garfield
8/1/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., YMCA, 70 Outwater Lane

New Milford
8/11/2017: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., CareOne at New Milford, 800 River Road

North Arlington
8/2/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., North Arlington Elks Lodge No. 1992, 129 Ridge Road

Palisades Park
8/14/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Borough of Palisades Park, 275 Broad Ave.

Park Ridge
7/26/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Atrium Post Acute Care of Park Ridge, 120 Noyes Drive

Rochelle Park
7/26/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Rochelle Park American Legion Post No. 170, 33 West Passaic St.

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Essex

Millburn
8/5/2017: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Millburn Free Public Library, 200 Glen Ave.

Montclair
8/10/2017: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 63 Park St.

Newark
8/6/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. James Church, 143 Madison St.

Nutley
8/15/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Masonic Lodge No. 25, 175 Chestnut St.

West Caldwell
7/31/2017: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Toyota Motor Sales, Inc. USA, 16 Henderson Drive

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Hudson

Hoboken
8/3/2017: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., CarePoint Health-Hoboken University Medical Center, 308 Willow Ave.

Jersey City
7/30/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Beacon, 20 Beacon Way

Kearny
7/30/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Madinah Cultural Center, 143 Midland Ave.

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Morris

Boonton
8/11/2017: 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center of Boonton, 110 Harrison Ave.

Chatham
7/31/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Library of the Chathams, 214 Main St.

Denville
7/27/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saint Clare’s Hospital, 25 Pocono Road

Long Valley
7/25/2017: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Valley View Chapel, 115 E. Mill Road

Madison
8/15/2017: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Madison Volunteer Ambulance Squad, 29 Prospect St.

Morristown
7/27/2017: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Headquarters Plaza, 37 Headquarters Plaza

Parsippany
8/6/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Elks Lodge No. 2078, 230 Parsippany Road

Succasunna
8/1/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church, 113 S. Hillside Ave.

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Passaic

Wayne
7/31/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Packanack Community Church, 120 Lake Drive E.
8/3/2017: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Back Care Plus Therapy and Rehab, 33 Riverview Drive

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Warren

Hackettstown
8/12/2017: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Randolph Christadelphian Ecclesia Bible Camp, 286 Schooleys Mountain Road

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What to know about giving blood

To make an appointment or more information, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 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.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

 

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

 

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