Critical Blood Shortage Prompts Emergency Call For Donors

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives. There are multiple blood donation opportunities in Somerset County coming up through the month of July.

Blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw down of the Red Cross blood supply. The shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.

“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” said Alana Mauger, external communications manager for the Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed as soon as possible.”

How to Help

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities July 5-25

Basking Ridge

• July 23 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 140 S. Finley Ave.

Raritan

• July 13 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., OMP Building, 1000 Route 202 S.
• July 20 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., OMP Building, 1000 Route 202 S.

Skillman

• July 6 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Johnson & Johnson-North, 199 Grandview Ave.
• July 13 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Johnson & Johnson-South, 199 Grandview Road
• July 18 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Johnson & Johnson-Orchard, Town Hall, 23 Orchard Road

Somerset

• July 14 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aon Hewitt, 400 Atrium Drive

Somerville

• July 21 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills, 123 E. Cliff St.

(Image via American Red Cross)

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