Be a Volunteer Blood Donor, Get a Shop Rite Gift Card

November 22, 24 & 26

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Receive a complimentary Shop Rite gift card when you successfully donate blood on Monday or Wednesday, November 22nd or 24th, at one of Community Blood Services� New York donor centers, or on Wednesday or Friday, November 24th or 26th, at one of its New Jersey centers.

�Your blood donation could save up to three lives,� said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs, noting that less than 3% of those eligible to donate in the metropolitan area actually do so.

She said volunteer blood donations are critically needed because there currently is less than a one-day supply of blood on the shelves and, with the holidays just ahead, the blood supply traditionally dips further because donors are busy shopping and traveling.

In New Jersey, donors can donate whole blood or platelets on Wednesday, November 24th or Friday, November 26th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Paramus donor center, 970 Linwood Avenue West, or on Wednesday, November 24th from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Park center, 63 Beaverbrook Road, Suite 304.

Donors in New York can donate whole blood on Monday, November 22nd from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Warwick donor site, 20 Grand Street near the Mount Alverno Center, or on Wednesday, November 24th from 1 to 6:30 p.m. at the New Windsor donor center, 575 Hudson Valley Avenue, Suite 206.

For more information, or to make an appointment to donate, visit www.communitybloodservices.com or call toll free 866-228-1500. Walk-ins are also welcome but an appointment is needed to donate platelets in New Jersey.

Ferriday said all blood types are needed, especially O negative and O positive, in order to meet the needs of patients at area hospitals, while platelets are needed to treat patients diagnosed with cancer or other blood disorders.

Community Blood Services provides blood and blood products to more than 30 hospitals in northern New Jersey and southern New York State.

Whole blood donors must be 17-75 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors also receive complimentary cholesterol and glucose health screenings.