Lincroft Fire Co. Holds Blood Drive Nov. 20

LINCROFT, NJ — Lincroft Fire Company will hold a blood drive Wednesday, November 20 from 2:30-8:30 p.m.

The blood drive will be held at the Lincroft Fire Company located at 601 Newman Springs Road.

They are holding the drive in conjunction with New Jersey Blood Services, based in New Brunswick, which supplies blood and blood products to 200 hospitals in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

According to New Jersey Blood Services, the region’s blood supply has never been lower. In order to maintain a safe blood supply, a seven-day inventory of all blood types must be continually replenished. Right now, reserves are below that minimum.

NYBC cited the following factors, which have led to the current shortage:

• Decline in overall donor base
• Decline in first-time donors
• Decline in high school and college donors
• Increased demand for blood products

“New York’s blood supply has never been lower than it is right now. We’re in a very critical time as the donor base continues to decline yet patient need is constant,” said Andrea Cefarelli, Senior Executive Director Donor Recruitment & Marketing at the New York Blood Center. “Blood is perishable so we need to constantly replenish the supply in order to treat trauma victims as well as people suffering from chronic conditions and those undergoing routine surgeries. We need to ensure a robust blood supply so we can always stay prepared and keep our communities safe.”