O-Negative Blood Needed, Drives To Be Held In Union County

UNION COUTY, NJ — New Jersey Blood Services will be hosting multiple blood drives in Union County.

• Dec. 1: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 2: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 2: Garwood First Aid Squad, 401 Second Ave., Garwood 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dec. 3: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Dec. 5: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Dec. 5: Cranford High School, 201 West End Place, Cranford 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Dec. 7: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 8: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 9: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Dec. 10: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Dec. 11: Miron Student Center of Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Dec. 12: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Dec. 14: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 15: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center (NYBC) is asking for help to maintain an adequate supply of all blood types, but especially O-negative – the “universal” blood which can be transfused into anyone in an emergency.

Current inventory of several blood types is running below the desired target level.

“It’s simple: hospital patient demand for blood often outpaces our best efforts to recruit donors and schedule blood drives,” said NYBC Executive Director of Donor Recruitment Andrea Cefarelli. “There are always reasons but we have to overcome that for the sake of hospital patients who need us.”

“This is one of the toughest times of the year,” Cefarelli added. “We’re asking for our dedicated supporters to roll up their sleeves to make sure we’re able to provide our hospital partners with whatever they need to take care of their patients.”

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive call Toll Free: 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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