Community Blood Services Offers Summer Giveaways To Thank Volunteer Blood Donors

June 29 - July 7

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During the summer, blood donations drop dramatically because donors go on vacation and there are fewer corporate, and no high school, blood drives.

�But the need for blood never goes on vacation - the supply must continuously be replenished so it is available when seriously ill or injured patients in our community hospitals need it,� said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs at Community Blood Services.

�There is always a critical need for blood throughout the summer months,� she added. �To help build the supply around the July Fourth holiday when so many people are away we urgently need donors to make a lifesaving blood, platelet or plasma donation at one of our donor centers in New Jersey and New York between now and July 7th.

For hours and locations at fixed sites or of blood drives on bloodmobiles in your area click here or call toll free 866-228-1500. Yopu can also call 866-228-1500 to schedule your appointment or click here to schedule online. Walk-ins are also welcome but an appointment is needed to donate platelets. Platelets can be donated at the Paramus or Lincoln Park donor centers in New Jersey.

As our thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to donate, if you donate on Wednesday, June 29th and Thursday, June 30th, at the Paramus or Lincoln Park donor centers in New Jersey, or the New Windsor donor center in New York, you will receive a complimentary beach umbrella.

When you donate on Friday, July 1st through Sunday, July 3rd at those same donor centers, as well as at the New Milford, Lyndhurst, Dumont and Ramsey drives in New Jersey and the Monroe Walmart in New York, you will receive a complimentary camp chair. And donors who donate Tuesday, July 5th through Thursday, July 7th at any donor center or on any blood drive on a bloodmobile will receive a complimentary cooler bag.

The beach umbrellas and camp chairs come in various colors and patterns. The jumbo cooler bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, double zipper closure, large outside front pocket and mesh pocket on the back, and can hold up to 14 12-ounce cans.

All blood types are needed, Ferriday said, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, in order to meet the needs of patients at area hospitals. Platelets are needed to treat patients diagnosed with cancer or other blood disorders, and AB plasma is needed for burn and trauma victims.

Whole blood donors must be 17-75 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. All donors will receive health screenings with their donations, including non-fasting glucose and cholesterol screenings.

Community Blood Service is a not-for-profit organization that provides blood and blood products to 25 hospitals in New Jersey and New York.