Community Blood Services Offers Summer Cooler Bags
As Thank You to Volunteer Blood Donors

July 5th through July 7th

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Community Blood Service invites donors to make a lifesaving blood or platelet donation at its donor centers in New Jersey and New York on Tuesday, July 5th through Thursday, July 7th. Anyone who successfully donates on the specified days will receive a complimentary cooler bag.

The jumbo cooler bag, which will also be given to every donor who donates at a mobile blood drives scheduled on those days, have an adjustable shoulder strap, double zipper closure, large outside front pocket and mesh pocket on the back. It can hold up to 14 12 ounce cans.

�There is a critical need for blood, especially during the summer months,� said Karen Ferriday, director of community affairs at Community Blood Services. �The supply traditionally drops each summer because there are no high school blood drives, which provide 10% of the blood supply, participation at corporate blood drives declines because employees are on vacation and because volunteer donors who normally donate at our donor centers don�t show up as frequently because of their busy summer schedules and vacations.�

All blood types are needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, in order to meet the needs of patients at area hospitals, Ferriday said. AB male plasma donors also are urgently needed to fill hospital orders for patients during the July Fourth week, and platelets are needed to treat patients diagnosed with cancer or other blood disorders, she added.

To make an appointment, or to find out where there is a mobile drive near you, please call 201-251-3703 (NJ) or 845-220-2030 (NY). Click here to schedule your appointment online. Walk-ins are also welcome but an appointment is needed to donate platelets which can be done at one of the New Jersey donor centers.

The Lincoln Park donor center, 63 Beaverbrook Road, suite 304, will be open Tuesday, July 5th and Wednesday, July 6th from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Paramus donor center, 970 Linwood Avenue West, will be open Tuesday, July 5th and Thursday, July 7th from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 6th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The New Windsor donor center, 575 Hudson Valley Avenue, will be open Tuesday, July 5th from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, July 6th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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.