New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) is urgently calling on New Jersey residents to donate blood ahead of Memorial Day weekend as the region faces dangerously low blood collections at the start of the summer “trauma season,” one of the most difficult and critical times of year for maintaining the blood supply.
Blood donations are down nearly 15%, representing approximately 4,500 fewer donations than needed to meet hospital demand across the region. The shortfall comes just before Memorial Day weekend, when donations traditionally decline due to travel, vacations, school breaks, and holiday activities. Following a difficult winter season, spring donations have also failed to rebound as expected, and without an immediate increase in donations, the region risks entering blood emergency territory in the weeks ahead.
“This is one of the more challenging starts to summer we’ve seen in recent years,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Operations, New Jersey Blood Services. “We are already thousands of donations behind where we would typically like to be heading into Memorial Day weekend, a time when donations often decline further. Continued donor support in the coming weeks will be critical to helping hospitals maintain a stable blood supply for patients who depend on transfusions every day.”
Hospitals typically see a rise in serious injuries and emergency procedures during the summer months due to increased travel, outdoor recreation, and holiday activity. Trauma patients can require dozens, sometimes hundreds, of blood transfusions in a matter of hours.
In New Jersey alone, approximately 10,000 trauma patients are treated by level 1 trauma centers each year, with many of the injuries occurring on weekends and throughout the summer months.
To help encourage donations during the holiday week, those who come to donate at any NJBS donor center or blood drive between Wednesday, May 20th and Wednesday, May 27th will receive a packable picnic blanket to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.
Memorial Day weekend also serves as the kickoff to NJBS’ broader “Be the Reason Summer Feels Brighter” initiative, a seasonal effort focused on maintaining a stable blood supply throughout the challenging summer months. Donors can visit nybc.org/reason to view upcoming summer donation opportunities, learn about additional summer donor promotions, and find convenient locations to donate.
In light of updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. To view current eligibility guidelines or 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’ mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Click here to learn more.