Emergency Blood Donations Needed: Drives Held In Union County

CLARK/SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The New Jersey Blood Services says emergency blood donations are needed now to prevent summer shortages. Several upcoming drives will be held in the Union County area.

Upcoming blood drives include:

• Sunday, July 1: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monday, July 2: Linden Public Library, 31 East Henry St., Linden 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, July 2: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 3: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Thursday, July 5: Clark Volunteer Emergency Squad, 875 Raritan Rd., Clark 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 6: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, July 7: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, July 8: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monday, July 9: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 11: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 2 to 9 p.m.
• Friday, July 13: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday, July 14: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Sunday, July 15: Scotch Plains Donor Center, 2279 South Ave., Scotch Plains 8 a.m. to 3 p.m

Current inventory of several blood types is running below the desired target level and the need for donations is now, according to NJBS, a division of New York Blood Center.

"It's simple: hospital patient demand for blood often outpaces our best efforts to recruit donors and schedule blood drives," said NYBC Executive Director of Donor Recruitment Andrea Cefarelli. "There are always reasons but we have to overcome that for the sake of hospital patients who need us."

"This is one of the toughest times of the year," Cefarelli added. "We're asking for our dedicated supporters to roll up their sleeves to make sure we're able to provide our hospital partners with whatever they need to take care of their patients."

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive call toll free 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybloodcenter.org.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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