SOUTH ORANGE / NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey Blood Services will be conducting a blood drive in Newark on Sunday, May 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mantena Global Care, 294 Ferry St., and another blood drive in South Orange on Monday, May 23, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Baird, 5 Mead St.
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 cannot be manufactured. They can only come from volunteer blood donors who take an hour to attend a blood drive or visit a donor center.
To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.
If you cannot donate but still wish to participate in bringing crucial blood products to patients in need, ask someone to donate for you, or consider volunteering at a local blood drive.
Any company, community organization, place of worship or individual may host a blood drive. NYBC also offers special community service scholarships for students who organize community blood drives during summer months. Blood donors receive free mini-medical exams on site, including information about their temperature, blood pressure and hematocrit level. Eligible donors include those people at least age 16 —with parental permission or consent, who weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, are in good health and meet all Food & Drug Administration and N.J. State Department of Health donor criteria. People older than 75 may donate with a doctor’s note.
About the Author
