01/08/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/08/2025 09:21
West Orange, NJ, January 8, 2025- January is National Blood Donor Month, and RWJBarnabas Health is making its annual Winter Blood Drive Appeal encouraging life-saving blood and platelet donations by hosting several blood drives in January and February across its healthcare facilities to help replenish supply levels and mitigate shortages.
There is a critical need for single-donor platelets, and positive and negative Type O blood is extremely low, with less than a 3-day supply available. These life-saving donations are given to patients during traumatic events such as car and home accidents, childbirth, cancer care, and mass casualty events.
"Blood collection during the winter months is always challenging due to when the holidays fall, inclement weather, or increased rates of illnesses like the flu and RSV," said Sally Wells, Business Development and Community Liaison for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's (RWJUH) Blood Donor Services "If any of these events happen, we could be in for a very challenging January. We celebrate and thank all the volunteer blood donors for their meaningful support and life-saving gifts, not just during National Blood Donor Month but year-round.
A full list of upcoming blood drives include:
January
February
All January platelet donors will receive a $25 gift card as a special thank you.
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 visit https://www.rwjuhdonorclub.org or call 732-235-8100 ext. 221.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is New Jersey's largest and most comprehensive academic health system, caring for more than five million people annually. Nationally renowned for quality and safety, the system includes 14 hospitals and 9,000 affiliated physicians integrated to provide care at more than 700 patient care locations.
RWJBarnabas Health partners with its diverse communities to build and sustain a healthier New Jersey. It provides patient-centered care in a compassionate and equitable manner and is the state's largest safety-net provider and leader in addressing the social determinants of health. RWJBarnabas Health provides food to the hungry, housing for the homeless and economic opportunities to those most vulnerable.
RWJBarnabas Health's commitment to enhancing access to care includes a transformative partnership with Rutgers University, including the Rutgers Cancer Institute - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers, with more than 43,000 employees, contributing more than $5.5 billion to the state economy every year. For more information, visit www.RWJBH.org
Contact: Carrie Cristello
[email protected]