Community Blood Services Thanks Donors During National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

January 2 - 31, 2011

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In celebration of National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, Community Blood Services will honor its blood and platelet donors as �Heroes� for helping to save the lives of patients in its community hospitals.

Anyone who donates through Monday, January 31st at various Community Blood Services donor collection sites in New Jersey and New York will receive a �One Hero at a Time� T-shirt as Community Blood Services� thank you for taking time out of their busy schedules throughout the year to make lifesaving donations.

Blood centers across the country are recognizing and thanking their blood and platelet donors during this annual January celebration, asking all eligible donors to schedule an appointment to donate this month and to continue donating throughout 2011.

�Blood donors are our everyday heroes, saving lives in our community all year long. They deserve to be recognized for their unselfish donations,� said Patrice Foresman, director of recruitment at Community Blood Services.

Please log onto www.communitybloodservices.com for locations and hours for the various sites or to schedule your appointment, or call our toll free number - 866-228-1500. Walk ins are welcome but an appointment is needed to donate platelets.

�How about making one of your New Year�s resolutions to become a regular blood donor, or to donate for the very first time?� Foresman suggested. �It�s a resolution that�s easy to stick to and you�ll have the satisfaction of knowing you�re helping to save lives.�

�Platelet donations are especially needed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays to meet the ongoing needs of patients in our community hospitals,� Foresman added.

More than 4.5 million patients need blood transfusions in the U.S. each year, according to Foresman, who noted that it is becoming more important than ever that people become regular donors who give two to three times a year.

�Thanks to the generous donations of �One Hero at a Time,� patients can be assured blood is there when they need it,� she said. �Every donor is a hero in our eyes when they take time out of their busy schedules to give the gift of life.�

Currently, there is less than a one-day supply of blood on the shelves and all types are needed, especially O negative, O positive and B negative, in order to meet the needs of patients at area hospitals. Platelet donations 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 New Jersey and New York.

Whole blood donors must be 17-75 years old (16 years old with parental permission) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors also receive complimentary non-fasting cholesterol and glucose screenings at the time of their donations.