"Dog Days of Summer" in July
Blood Donors Invited To Get T-Shirts & Participate in Dog Photo Contest

July 10-12, 2012

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Community Blood Services invites donors to participate in the second annual "Dog Days of Summer" being held at its New Jersey and New York donor centers in July to help replenish the blood supply during the summer months.

Donors will receive a specially designed "Dog Days" T-shirt when they donate Tuesday, July 10th through Thursday, July 12th at the Paramus or Lincoln Park donor centers in New Jersey or at the New Windsor donor center in New York. A �Dog Days of Summer� dog photo contest also will run throughout the month of July.

Those donating at the Paramus donor center only will get a pet "goodie" bag with treats or pet-themed items, donated by Pet Goods of Paramus, while supplies last and be able to enjoy a hot dog from Community Blood Services� hot dog cart between 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

"Summer is one of the toughest times to bring in blood donors because people are more focused on vacations and relaxing," said Karen Ferriday, community affairs director at Community Blood Services. "The �Dog Days of Summer' is a fun way to get donors involved in replenishing the traditional shortage of blood products."

Every year, she said, the supply dips during the summer because there are no high school blood drives and fewer donors show up at community drives and at the donor centers. Currently, there is less than a one-day supply of blood on the shelves and all types are needed, especially O negative and positive, A negative and B negative. Platelets, which are also in great demand, can be donated at the new Jersey donor centers.

To enter the dog photo contest, donors are asked to mail or drop off a favorite photo of their dog reflecting the �Dog Days of Summer� theme to the attention of Patricia Cascino at Community Blood Services, 970 Linwood Avenue West, Paramus 07652. Or they can email it to Patricia at [email protected] using "Dog Days of Summer" in the subject line. Photos, which will become the property of the blood center, should be accompanied by the dog owner�s name and contact information.

Photos will be posted on a bulletin board in the donor lobby at the Paramus donor center and in albums on the center�s website and Facebook page. At the end of the month, a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place photo will be chosen.

Donors in New Jersey can get their "Dog Days" T-shirts when they donate at the Paramus donor center, 970 Linwood Avenue, on Tuesday or Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. or on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Or they can donate at the Lincoln Park donor center, 63 Beaverbrook Road, Suite 304, on Tuesday or Wednesday from 12 noon to 7:30 p.m.

To receive their T-shirts at the New Windsor donor center, 575 Hudson Valley Avenue, Suite 206, donors can donate blood on Tuesday, June 10 or Wednesday, June 11 from 1 to 7 p.m.

Click here to schedule your appointment online or call 866-228-1500. Walk-ins are also welcome but an appointment is needed to donate platelets at one of the New Jersey donor centers.

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 a complimentary mini-physical, including non-fasting cholesterol and glucose screenings and blood pressure.