Rutgers Students Hold On-Campus Blood Drive Thursday

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital will hold a blood drive on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus Thursday.

The blood drive will be held on The Yard on College Avenue from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday.

RWJ is organizing the blood drive with the help of Rutgers students. All donors will be given a $5 coffee gift card, a free Jersey Mike’s sub and entered into a raffle to win $25 Wawa gift cards.

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

Local hospitals, especially trauma centers such as RWJUH, are facing the worst blood shortage in 20 years. Hospitals are always in need of blood to help critically ill or injured patients.

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 today. This is considerably less than in the past, as college and high school blood drives used to account for 40 percent of all statewide collections. Blood donations severely dropped off after the pandemic.

In order to be eligible to donate blood, a person 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.