Volunteer Blood Donors Needed to Meet Hospital Demand As Holiday Season Begins!

November 23 & 25, 2011

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Volunteer blood and platelet donors are being asked to take time out of their busy holiday schedules to donate during Thanksgiving week so Community Blood Services can have enough lifesaving blood on the shelves for the patients who need it.

As a thank you, donors who give the gift of life on Wednesday, November 23 or Friday, November 25 at a Community Blood Services� donor center in New Jersey or New York will receive a ShopRite gift card.

"Thanksgiving traditionally marks the beginning of the holiday season, resulting in a decrease in collections due to holiday vacations, donors traveling to see family, and school closings," said Patricia Cascino, community affairs manager. "We hope donors will find time to schedule an appointment to donate during the holiday week so we can ensure we have an adequate supply of blood to meet the needs of the 25 hospitals we serve."

All blood types and products are needed, especially O negative, AB male plasma and platelets. In recent weeks there has been less than a two-day supply of blood on the shelves and that is expected to dwindle further as the holidays approach.

In New Jersey, donors can donate whole blood or platelets on Wednesday, November 23 or Friday, November 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Community Blood Services� Paramus donor center, 970 Linwood Avenue West, or they can donate from 1 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Lincoln Park donor center, 63 Beaverbrook Road, Suite 304. In New York, whole blood donors are invited to donate from 4 pm. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23 at the New Windsor Donor Center, 575 Hudson Valley Avenue, Suite 206.

Call toll free 866-228-1500 or click here to make an appointment to donate. Whole blood donors can also walk in but an appointment is needed to donate platelets.

Whole blood donors must be in general good health, 17-75 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. Donors will receive complimentary health screenings, including non-fasting cholesterol and glucose health screenings, when they donate.