New Jersey Blood Services is encouraging eligible donors to make plans to give blood ahead of the July 4th holiday, a time when blood donations often decline while patient needs remain constant.
The summer months are traditionally accompanied by a drop in blood donations due to vacations, school breaks and changing schedules. This year, additional factors including increased travel, remote work arrangements, traffic congestion and road closures associated with major regional events have begun to impact blood collections and blood drive operations across parts of the New York and New Jersey area.
Maintaining a healthy blood inventory is critical during the summer “trauma season,” when hospitals often see an increase in serious injuries and emergencies requiring lifesaving transfusions. As a thank-you for helping strengthen the local blood supply, donors who come to give between June 26 and July 7 at a New Jersey Blood Services donor center or mobile blood drive will receive a limited-edition t-shirt.
“We recognize that major events like the FIFA World Cup can change people’s daily routines, with more employees working remotely, increased travel, and additional traffic and road closures throughout the region,” said Jeannie Mascolino, Vice President of Operations at New Jersey Blood Services. “We’ve already seen some impacts to blood collections and blood drive schedules, and we encourage eligible donors to plan ahead and make time to give blood. A strong and stable blood supply depends on consistent donor participation, especially during the summer months.”
The donation effort is part of NJBS’’s summer campaign, Be the Reason Summer Feels Brighter, which focuses on maintaining a stable blood supply throughout the challenging summer months. Learn about summer donation opportunities, donor promotions and locations at nybc.org/reason.
Blood donors can donate every 56 days, and platelet donors can give up to twice per month. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To view current eligibility guidelines or make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org.