Township Mayor: 'Please Give Blood'

The following communication was sent by Morris Township Mayor H. Scott Rosenbush.  

In response to ongoing shortages in blood supplies, Cincinnati Masonic Lodge #3 in Morristown is sponsoring a public blood drive at 39 Maple Ave. on Sat., Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

For convenience donors can schedule appointments in advance at  this web site: 

Home-made chili will be available to all donors.

Since 2009, the legal age to donate blood is 16 with parent/guardian consent. To be eligible to donate blood, individuals who are 16 years-old must be in general good health, weigh 120 pounds, and have a consent form signed by their parent or guardian. Consent forms are located on the BCNJ website and at blood drives.  So bring your kids (who are over 16)!

The Blood Center of New Jersey needs to have 250 people donate blood every day in order to meet the needs of patients in the hospitals and medical centers they service. Each donated unit of blood is tested and broken down into different components.  People who need blood donations include:

• Premature Babies in Intensive Care
• Trauma Victims - Vehicular Accidents, etc.
• Organ Transplant Patients
• Cancer Patients
• Burn Victims
• Surgery Patients
• Children and Adults with Blood Disorders, such as Hemophilias, Anemia and Sickle Cell Disease.

For more information call BCNJ at 1-866-968-2265 or visit www.bloodnj.org.  All donors must present a signed or picture ID and know their Social Security number. You only need to supply your SS No. on your initial donation with BCNJ.