NJ blood supplies are critically low. Here's how you can help

Mike Deak, MyCentralJersey.com
·2 min read

With blood supplies critically low after the holiday season, RWJBarnabas Health is urging Central Jersey residents to donate blood and platelets this winter.

Donations have plummeted by 25% at RWJBarnabas Health blood drives. Sixty percent of New Jersey residents are eligible to donate blood, yet only 3.6% donate on a routine basis.“After the holiday rush, a critical shortage in the blood supply has emerged in New Jersey, highlighting an ongoing demand for donations throughout the winter months. Each blood donation offers the gift of life to another,” said Sally Wells, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) blood services business development liaison. “Just one pint of blood can save up to three lives. It's crucial to donate whenever the opportunity arises.”

RWJBarnabas Health is calling on blood donors of all types, especially Type O and platelet donors, to help bolster the supply. All blood and platelet donations at RWJBarnabas Health blood drives or donor rooms stay within the system and impact local blood supply availability within a few days of being donated.

More: 7 tips to help beat the holiday and winter blues

To schedule an appointment at a RWJBarnabas Health Donor Room,call 732-235-8100 Ext. 221. Fixed donor locations are located at RWJUH in New Brunswick on the 4th floor of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Clinical Academic Building at 125 Paterson St., New Brunswick and at RWJUH Somerset, at 110 Rehill Ave., Somerville. Both are open Monday through Friday and select Saturdays.

For hours of operation and to schedule an appointment, visit https://www.rwjuhdonorclub.org.

Blood drives will also be held at these Central Jersey locations:

Saint Peter's University Hospital, 254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Sister Maria DiPazzi Conference Center.

New Brunswick Islamic Center, 1330 Livingston Ave, North Brunswick, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 20 in the gymnasium.

Robert Wood Johnson Rutgers Medical School, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 30 in the Great Hall.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ blood supplies are critically low. Here's how you can help