Nutley Blood Drive In Memory Of Anne Rotonda Returns For 2023

NUTLEY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Township of Nutley. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Commissioner John Kelly III and the Nutley Department of Public Affairs will partner with Vitalant Blood Services of New Jersey to conduct a Nutley Community Blood Drive on Thursday, June 8 in memory of Nutley resident Anne Rotonda.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, visit the Vitalant New Jersey Donor Portal at cbsblood.org, or call (877) 258-4825.

The drive will be held at the Nutley Parks and Rec Building (44 Park Avenue, Room 300) from 1:00pm – 6:00pm. Although walk-ins will be accepted, appointments are recommended and will be taken before walk-ins. All safety precautions will be put in place to ensure the health and well-being of all donors and technicians. Please do not donate if you are sick or may have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Masks are optional. As always, donors must be between the ages of 16 and 76, weigh over 110 pounds and be in general good health.

Anne Rotonda, a longtime friend near and dear to many in Nutley, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in 2013. At that time, the Nutley Board of Commissioners held the first blood drive in Anne’s honor. In 2017, she was re-diagnosed with the same disease, and in September of 2017 received a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, Anne lost her battle with cancer on August 21, 2021, and as her memory continues to live forever in the hearts of many, the Township will continue to honor Anne every year with this important, life-saving event.

Donor Guidelines:

• All donors are required to wear a cloth based mask or face covering.
• Do not donate if you are sick.
• Donors should weigh at least 110 pounds.
• All donors must bring identification.
• Eat a meal before donation.
• Drink plenty of water before and after donating.

New Jersey as a whole is experiencing critically low donation numbers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need for Type O Negative, O Positive & B Negative Blood Types, but all types are welcome and needed.

Find answers at Vitalant.org to commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and the virus that causes it (novel coronavirus, now called SARS-CoV-2) in relation to blood donation and what Vitalant is doing to keep donors, blood drive coordinators, volunteers, staff and patients safe. If you have a question not covered here, visit our donor eligibility page at link?, call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825) or email us at getinvolved@vitalant.org.

For additional information, call the Department of Public Affairs at 973-284-4976.

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