Give the Gift of Life This Holiday Season The Need for Blood Never Takes a Vacation!

December 2010

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Community Blood Services is asking community members to set some time aside this holiday season to donate blood and give the gift of life to patients in our community hospitals.

�The need for blood never takes a vacation, so it is more important than ever to donate this holiday season to ensure blood is available when patients in our community hospitals need it,� said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs. �Currently, there is less than a one day supply of blood on Community Blood Services� shelves to meet the needs of patients in the more than 30 hospitals we serve in New Jersey and New York.

All blood types are needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, according to Feriday, who said about 250 pints of blood must be collected daily to meet the hospitals� needs.

The supply traditionally drops during the holidays, she said, because donors are busy shopping and traveling and there are very few mobile blood drives with businesses and high schools. In addition, donations drop as a result of wintry weather and illness.

�Community Blood Services is urging eligible blood donors today and throughout the months of January and February to help replenish the blood supply so there is a sufficient supply for those patients who will need it,� Ferriday said.

Donors can call toll-free 866-228-1500 or visit www.communitybloodservices.com to find out where and when they can donate and to schedule their appointments. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Donor centers are located in Paramus and Lincoln Park in New Jersey, and in New Windsor and Warwick in New York. Other convenient donation sites are located in Englewood, West Milford and Secaucus in New Jersey and in Florida in New York.