Rutgers Campus Blood Drive Nov. 15, 16

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — On Nov. 15 and 16, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will hold a blood drive on the Rutgers campus at The Yard on College Avenue.

The blood drive will go from 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days, and encourages people to donate in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

The drive is in collaboration with Rutgers Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs “Greek Service Week," a week-long event focused on giving back to the community.

Donors will each receive a $5 Starbucks gift card, a free Jersey Mike’s sub and will be entered into a raffle to win $25 Wawa gift cards; one out of four will win the $25 Wawa gift card.

Appointments are strongly encouraged and available at rwjuhdonorclub.org or by calling 732-235-8100 ext. 221.

As of March 2022, college and high school students — who used to make up 25 percent of blood donations — only constitute 10 percent of donations. This is considerably less than in the past, as college and high school blood drives used to account for 40 percent of all the statewide collections.

In order to be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), be in good health, weigh at least 110 lb (120 lb if 16 years old), and present valid photo identification with signature.

“Hospitals are suffering from a shortage of blood and platelets, and there is currently an emergency shortage of Type-O blood," said Michael Leviton, business development liaison at RWJBarnabasHealth Blood Services. "Maintaining an adequate blood supply is the key to treatment in so many critical instances. From car accidents to cancer treatment, transfusions are irreplaceable in the recovery of our patients.”