10,000+ fewer blood donations, a 40% drop in recent weeks, leaves less than a two-day supply across the region
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) has declared a blood emergency and is issuing an urgent call for donors. Holiday disruptions, severe winter weather, canceled blood drives, and widespread seasonal illnesses have led to a significant decline in blood donations, resulting in critically low levels across the region.
In recent weeks, blood donations have dropped nearly 40% below what is needed to meet hospital demand, resulting in less than a two-day supply of blood for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area. The emergency declaration follows an exceptionally challenging end to the year, caused by a combination of events that sharply reduced blood donations:
- Severe winter weather, including heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain across New Jersey, led to disrupted travel and forced blood drive cancellations
- Record seasonal illness, with flu cases surging to levels nearly double recent weeks, levels not typically seen until late January, as the state joins four others experiencing “very high” flu activity, according to the CDC
- Major holiday disruptions, with Christmas and New Year’s Day both falling on Thursdays, typically one of the highest collection days each week, resulting in a near-total loss of midweek donations for two consecutive weeks and approximately 10,000 fewer donations than needed to meet hospital demand
“We are entering the new year with a critically low blood supply, and recent winter weather has made an already challenging season even more difficult,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President, Blood Operations at New Jersey Blood Services. “Blood is needed every single day for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions, and there is no substitute when donations fall short.”
While January marks National Blood Donor Month, this year’s observance in New Jersey comes during an active blood emergency, when patients cannot wait. Because blood has a limited shelf life, immediate donations are critical to stabilizing the supply and preventing disruptions to patient care.
“When a blood emergency is declared, it means our health care system faces real constraints right now in treating patients who need transfusions,” said Acting New Jersey Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “If you’re eligible to donate, please don’t wait. Schedule an appointment today or visit a walk-in center this week. Your donation can save a life.”
To help prevent emergencies like this one, NJBS encourages donors to become All Seasons Lifesavers by making blood donation a routine part of their lives and giving once each season in 2026. NJBS also offers additional donor frequency programs based on donation type, recognizing those who give consistently throughout the year. Learn more here.
To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. Can’t donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NJBS’s mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Click here to learn more.
FOR MEDIA: NJBS donor centers are open and welcome media coverage. Reporters can capture B-roll of donors in action or arrange one-on-one interviews with NJBS representatives.